Pretoria - Law enforcement officials nabbed a drunk motorist with blood alcohol content 32 times over the legal limit near Queenstown in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday.
When the motorist, driving a Mercedes Benz Vito, was pulled over, he was breathalysed and found to have blood alcohol content of 1.6g/100ml. The legal limit is 0.05g/100ml.
Five boys and a woman, who were also in the vehicle with 15 sheep allegedly stolen from nearby farms, were also arrested.
Since the beginning of this month, 1.1 million vehicles and drivers were checked. More than 30 percent of fines issued relate to drivers not being in possession of driving licences or failing to carry driving licences.
As part of South Africa's "Make Roads Safe" campaign and new National Rolling Enforcement Plan (NREP), from 1 October to 21 December, almost four million vehicles and drivers have been stopped and checked and more than 1.5 million fines issued for various traffic offences.
More than 20 000 unroadworthy vehicles, including several buses and taxis, were taken off the roads. More than 4 000 drunk drivers were arrested.
During November, nearly 1.5 million vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked, 684 739 fines issued and 10 282 vehicles discontinued from use. The highest number of vehicles (220 226) were stopped in KwaZulu-Natal.
During October, 1 385 521 vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked, 408 650 fines issued and 4 481 vehicles discontinued from use. The highest number of vehicles and drivers 276 579 were stopped in Gauteng. There were 2 256 drunk driving arrests, of which 930 were in the Western Cape.
Since the 2010 FIFA World Cup, an average of 2 000 motorists have been arrested every month for driving whilst under the influence of alcohol.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, KwaZulu-Natal traffic authorities reported that at least 16 people were killed in a road crash involving a mini-bus and midi-bus on the N2 near Mtubatuba in KwaZulu-Natal.
Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele said: "We want to convey condolences to the families of the more than 860 South Africans who unnecessarily lost their lives on our roads since the start of the festive season, and we wish those injured a speedy recovery.
"As we approach Christmas and the New Year, let us all go all out to ensure safer roads. Do the right things, simply obey all road rules and this will save lives on our roads."
Ndebele has called on more South Africans to enlist as Voluntary Traffic Observers to win the battle against road deaths.
"As part of South Africa's 'Make Roads Safe' campaign, more and more citizens must join the global movement for road safety. Road safety is everybody's responsibility. The battle to put an end to the unnecessary loss of lives on our roads is winnable and we must win," he said.
For more information on enlisting as a Voluntary Traffic Observer, go to www.rtmc.co.za or contact the RTMC Call Centre on 0861 400 800 during office hours.
