The Eastern Cape Transport Department has expressed concern about the alarming rates of drunk driving incidents in the province.
Over 200 motorists were arrested in the last two weeks in the province in connection with drunk driving.
The province officially launched its Festive Season Arrive Alive campaign in Komani on Thursday.
Traffic volumes are expected to increase on the province’s roads as people travel for December holidays.
Concern is rising over the issue of reckless and negligent driving during this period.
Law enforcement agencies have vowed to ensure that those who break the rules of the road will face the consequences.
Eastern Cape Transport MEC, Xolile Nqatha, says they are equipped in ensuring high visibility on the road.
“We are here today to demonstrate our state of readiness our officials will be all over the province to ensure that they stop and search to ensure that vehicles are stopped and search to ensure that people are tested for drunk and driving here l have handed over about 36 vehicles for traffic officers that are going to be distributed throughout our six districts to ensure that officials will be on the road day and night 24/7.”
There are further concerns about the health system being strained during this period due to road accidents.
Health MEC, Ntandokazi Capa, emphasised that they are prepared for any eventuality.
“The fact that we are here today is that we don’t want people to come to our facilities, we want to prevent them from coming to our facilities, but if there is an unfortunate situation where there is an accident, our EMS are ready, we even have three helicopters, one stationed in Mthatha, one in BCM and Gqeberha.”
Motorists have also shared safety tips for traveling, especially long-distance. Some of them had this to say.
“During this time of the festive season, I’m saying to the motorists they must make sure that they don’t touch any alcohol, whether it is in a medication or the one that we buy to have fun.”
“If you have driven for an hour, take time and take a break and relax because speed kills.”
The province aims to reduce road fatalities by ten percent as compared to the same period during the previous year. Last year, during the festive season, the province recorded over 11% fatal crashes. -Reporting by Hlumisa Qabaka
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