Western Cape traffic officials have declared war against drunk drivers. They will now conduct more accurate on-the-spot alcohol testing for motorists during the festive season.
A R400 000 mobile unit, kitted with state of the art technology, has been launched in Cape Town. Drivers will no longer be taken to hospital to draw blood to obtain an alcohol level count.
”Particularly this is going to give us the additional reach and swift justice for those who basically under the influence. The two key areas we targeting are both speed and alcohol. The other factors such as fatigue and distracted driving, we are also concerned about. But the deterrent that proposes to drivers hopefully is going to shape behaviour change,” says Provincial Transport Minister Donald Grant.”
Western Cape Traffic Chief Kenny Africa says the mobile unit will be deployed in specific areas.
”Well the hotspot are in indeed the metro city of cape town and then also in the coastal areas the wilderness the Southern Cape Mossel Bay George Knysna area asnd then also in the West Coast areas Langebaan and also Vredenburg area.”
Meanwhile, commuters eager to get to their families safely for Christmas have welcomed initiatives to ensure road safety. Many long distance vehicles leave from Joe Gqabi interchange for the Eastern Cape.
This is what one of them had to say: “We are going home for the Christmas we are little bit nervous of the traffic but God is going to be with us we very scared of the accidents and stuff but god will be with us.”
The mobile unit is the first of its kind in the country.
