POLICE BATTLE ILLEGAL ALCOHOL TRADE
While the ban on sale of alcohol was meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), it gave birth to a lucrative black market that has also given rise to fatal car accidents
Despite a ban on the sale of alcohol, accidents due to drunken driving still remain a major concern, the police have said.
Director of Traffic, senior assistant commissioner, Katlholo Mosimanegape revealed the concern in an interview with The Monitor. He said alcohol still has an impact on road accidents despite the suspension on sale.
“Alcohol related accidents remain a concern as people continue to lose their lives on the road. Since June 28, 2021 following alcohol ban we have recorded 1,581 general accidents of which 245 of them were alcohol related that has resulted in 22 deaths.
Amongst the 245 drunken driving cases, 161 of drivers had taken alcohol above the limit whilst 84 of them were charged with failure to provide breath,” he said.
Mosimanegape added it is a known fact and evidence is galore that alcohol is being smuggled into the country from neighbouring countries. He said the police continue to arrest people in possession of alcohol.
“This shows that alcohol is galore hence it is not surprising for the police to continue arresting people driving under the influence of alcohol because alcohol is being smuggled into the country.
Arrests are made on a daily basis across police stations especially those along the borderline and even internally on COVID-19 border zones check points,” he said.
He called on motorists to plan their trips as some accidents occur because drivers would be rushing to beat curfew times. He said the police continue to encounter a number of people who advance various reasons every evening to try and travel after the fall of the curfew in COVID-19 zone check points.
Mosimanegape further stated that motorists’ attitude towards key road safety issues such as speeding and overtaking remain a major road safety concern. He further disclosed that the majority of young drivers have a habit of excessive speeding, risking other people’s lives.
“Young drivers like to compete on the roads and overtake unnecessarily risking other motorists’ lives. Drivers speed because it’s a habit while some speed claiming it’s because they fall behind in their daily schedules. They would claim they were rushing somewhere,” he said.
He warned motorists that speeding increases the chance of a collision resulting in injuries or death. Furthermore, he explained that the driver of a speeding vehicle has less time to react to road hazards.
“If one drives at a minimal speed he or she can react to a hazard on time because the vehicle itself needs more distance to come to a controlled stop. We always sensitise motorists on road safety during road campaigns, but it is important that people change their behaviour on the roads,” he said
According to the police chief, some of the accidents could be easily avoided if road users could exercise patience and pay more attention to road traffic signs and regulations.