Petition against drunk driving
AS THE trial of an alleged drunk driver draws closer, family members of the eight victims who died have started an online petition against driving under the influence of alcohol.
Lorraine Rampersadh, 57, her daughter Veroshnie Mahabeer, 34, son-in-law Mitchell Mahabeer, 43, their children Isabella, 11, Hannah, 7, Leah, 6, and Titus, 3, as well as their uncle Jessy Mahabeer, 22, died on impact when their Volkswagen Golf collided with a bakkie on the N2 near Umzumbe, Durban south, in January.
The bakkie driver escaped unharmed and was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.
He was arrested and charged with eight counts of culpable homicide and reckless and negligent driving. His trial is expected to start in the Port Shepstone Regional Court next month.
Relative McKyle Thaver, who is spearheading the campaign, said: “No family should ever go through what we have. To lose so many loved ones, especially children, is just a never-ending nightmare.
“We are fortunate the other motorist has been caught and will stand trial; other families are not so lucky. Drunk driving is a huge concern.”
He appealed to South Africans to support the petition.
Director of Public Prosecutions in KZN advocate Moipone Noko said the legal position, along with the evidence (merits) of cases, was what determined the courts’ decisions and not exclusively the public outcry.
Caro Smit, of South Africans Against Drunk Driving, said one of the contributing factors to the carnage on roads was alcohol. “Motorists never understand how their drinking and driving impacts others on the road. Innocent families are affected because of their actions.”
Metro police spokesperson Sergeant Parboo Sewpersadh said that as the festive season approached, roadblocks would be intensified. He said they intended addressing local communities on the dangers of drinking and driving.
According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s Fatality Report, 14 050 people were killed on the country’s roads last year.
The petition can be accessed on https:// www.causes.com/campaigns/128205-getjustice-against-drunken-drivers