Another accident claimed a life of an Amarok driver in Botlokwa on Saturday, 6 June.
DRUNK drivers give Limpopo Transport and Community Safety MEC Violet Mathye a headache.
The province recorded three fatalities and 31 injuries in separate crashes between Thursday, 4 June and Sunday, 7 June, prompting Mathye to raise alarm over the growing number of motorists caught driving under the influence of alcohol.
On Monday 8 June, the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety revealed that 114 motorists were arrested for drunk driving during intensified Phuza Weekend Operations conducted across all five districts throughout the month of May.
Mathye said the figures are particularly worrying in Vhembe district, where 36 motorists were bust, the highest number in the province.
“I’m deeply concerned that Vhembe district recorded the highest number of arrests at 36. This tells me that too many motorists in Vhembe are still choosing to drink and drive despite our continuous warnings and visible policing,” she said.
One of the worst offenders was arrested in Mopani district after recording an alcohol reading of 1.04mg/1000ml, more than five times the legal limit.
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Mathye’s concerns come as road crashes continue to claim lives across Limpopo.
Two people died and five others were injured in a head-on collision involving a bakery truck and a sedan on the P277/1 Road in Sibasa, while a male driver was killed in a collision involving a truck and a VW Amarok on the N1 near Botlokwa.
In another incident, a bus travelling from Malawi to Joburg overturned near the Baobab Toll Gate in the Hartley area of Vhembe district, leaving 26 passengers injured, including four seriously hurt.
No fatalities were reported in the crash.
“Alcohol and the steering wheel don’t mix. One drink can be the difference between arriving home and arriving at a mortuary,” Mathye said.
She said when drunk drivers cause crashes, families often lose loved ones, breadwinners and parents, while communities are left carrying the emotional and financial burden.
“When a drunk driver crashes, families don’t just lose a loved one. They lose an income earner, a parent or a child. Medical bills, funeral costs and the emotional trauma last for years,” she said.
Mathye urged motorists who consume alcohol to make use of designated drivers – e-hailing services or public transport.
Mankaleme Thema
www.snl24.com
