Note to Editors: Please note Riona Gokool, MPL sound bite in English
The DA in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) welcomes the announcement, by KZN Transport MEC, Siboniso Duma, that his department will clamp down hard on drunk drivers during the upcoming Easter weekend, with jail sentences of up to six years.
The DA fully supports this move. Every year, during Easter and other peak holiday periods, countless lives are lost and families torn apart due to preventable incidents as a result of impaired driving.
Driving under the influence is not a mistake—it is a choice. And it is a choice that puts lives at risk. This new measure is not about punishment – it is about prevention and protection. We urge drivers to make responsible decisions behind the wheel.
It is government’s responsibility to ensure that our roads are safe for everyone. This means holding individuals accountable for their actions and implementing laws that act as effective deterrents. Stricter penalties, increased enforcement, and enhanced education efforts are necessary steps in reducing these tragic incidents.
As part of KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) the DA will continue to push for;
• An increase in Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officer visibility, particularly at accident hot spot areas
• Jail time for unlicenced drivers and zero tolerance for drunk, speeding and reckless drivers
• A 100km maximum speed limit when transporting children
• An electronic system where citizens can report ‘real time’ road offenders
• Further restrictions on trucks utilising the fast lane and compulsory defensive driving training before licences are issued
• Heavy fines for all unlicensed and unroadworthy vehicles.
As we head into the Easter weekend, the DA urges drivers to make responsible decisions when behind the wheel. We remain committed to playing a role in reducing the ongoing carnage on KZN’s roads and ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities.