THE seven state-of-the-art Alcohol Evidence Centres set up in parts of the country are so far having a positive effect on the clampdown against drunk drivers.
The initiative is part of South African Breweries' R9million commitment to supply nine AECs across the country with equipment.
Equipment includes breathalysers and a closed-circuit television network to monitor the testing process.
The breathalyser machines are able to take an instant and accurate reading of the level of an individual's breath alcohol, which can be used as evidence to secure a conviction of drunk driving.
The national transport department's Ashraf Ismail said most fatal accidents occurred on weekends and arrests for drunk driving had risen.
"Since we set up the centres, over 250 drunk drivers were arrested at weekends countrywide," he said.
Ismail said pedestrians also needed to respect the rules of the road.
He said the centers would improve prosecution rates of those arrested for drunk driving.
On Tuesday, the KwaZulu-Natal department of transport's Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) in conjunction with SAB unveiled the third AEC in the province at Port Shepstone.
The other two are in Umdloti and Pietermaritzburg.
Provincial MEC for transport, community safety and liaison Willies Mchunu said drunk driving remained one of the biggest killers in South Africa. The centre was an important step to reducing the number of fatalities on KZN's roads.
"We want drivers to know it's not okay to drink and drive. If they make the mistake of doing so, we are ready to catch and prosecute them."
SAB corporate affairs and transformation director Vincent Maphai said research had shown that effective enforcement and prosecution were the most effective ways to change attitudes and behaviours among those who drink and drive.
Maphai said the equipment would be used in conjunction with regular roadblocks. If a breathalyser detected more than 0.24 milligrams of alcohol per 1000 millilitres of breath (the legal breath alcohol limit in South Africa), a driver would be arrested, detained and charged with a criminal offence.
Top testing equipment to catch drunk drivers
THE seven state-of-the-art Alcohol Evidence Centres set up in parts of the country are so far having a positive effect on the clampdown against drunk drivers.
The initiative is part of South African Breweries' R9million commitment to supply nine AECs across the country with equipment.
Equipment includes breathalysers and a closed-circuit television network to monitor the testing process.
The breathalyser machines are able to take an instant and accurate reading of the level of an individual's breath alcohol, which can be used as evidence to secure a conviction of drunk driving.
The national transport department's Ashraf Ismail said most fatal accidents occurred on weekends and arrests for drunk driving had risen.
"Since we set up the centres, over 250 drunk drivers were arrested at weekends countrywide," he said.
Ismail said pedestrians also needed to respect the rules of the road.
He said the centers would improve prosecution rates of those arrested for drunk driving.
On Tuesday, the KwaZulu-Natal department of transport's Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) in conjunction with SAB unveiled the third AEC in the province at Port Shepstone.
The other two are in Umdloti and Pietermaritzburg.
Provincial MEC for transport, community safety and liaison Willies Mchunu said drunk driving remained one of the biggest killers in South Africa. The centre was an important step to reducing the number of fatalities on KZN's roads.
"We want drivers to know it's not okay to drink and drive. If they make the mistake of doing so, we are ready to catch and prosecute them."
SAB corporate affairs and transformation director Vincent Maphai said research had shown that effective enforcement and prosecution were the most effective ways to change attitudes and behaviours among those who drink and drive.
Maphai said the equipment would be used in conjunction with regular roadblocks. If a breathalyser detected more than 0.24 milligrams of alcohol per 1000 millilitres of breath (the legal breath alcohol limit in South Africa), a driver would be arrested, detained and charged with a criminal offence.
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