Law enforcement pouncing as 102 drunk drivers nabbed and 7000 speedsters caught flatfooted – NMBM

The Nelson
Mandela Bay Municipality’s law enforcement apparatus are ready to pounce with
the culmination of the festive season in sight and major successes already
under their belt.

Despite the
dangers of driving under the influence of illegal substances, a shocking 102 drunken
drivers were arrested since 1 December with the eldest a 72-year-old man. He
was pulled over in Ferguson Road two days before Christmas (23 December) with a
blood alcohol level of 0.78 g per 100ml.

Between 26
and 29 December an alarming 7 767 motorists were caught speeding, an offence
that contributes significantly to the annual death toll on our roads.

Member of
the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security, Lawrence Troon, says these
statistics should be considered a warning to those underestimating the reach of
the municipal law enforcement teams as Traffic Law Enforcement, Metro Police as
well as Fire and Emergency Services are still out in full force to enforce the
law.

“These
warnings are not an attempt at fearmongering, we simply would like to keep the
deaths on our roads to a minimum and ensure that everyone enjoys a safe festive
season.

“The three
souls that we lost on our roads due to accidents are already a major concern
for us. We would not like to see an increase.

“In
addition, we would like to advise motorists that the 12am curfew is still in
place due to the prevalent fourth wave of the coronavirus. This means the Metro
Police and Traffic will be enforcing this Disaster Management Act regulation in
close collaboration with the South African Police Services (Saps).

“I therefore
would like to appeal to motorists to consider a designated driver, ride-hailing
services or staying at home to celebrate the advent of a new year.

“I would
like to remind beachgoers that our beaches are no-alcohol zones. We are seeing
too many transgressions in this regard and parents or caregivers leaving their
children unsupervised while partying on the beachfront,” MMC Troon said.

The South
African Police Services’ Inspector of Explosives and the Nelson Mandela Bay
Municipality’s Fire Safety Division did not grant any events companies
permission to discharge fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

Acting
Executive Director for Safety and Security, Shane Brown, said the Nelson
Mandela Bay Municipality has been experiencing a drought for the last seven
years and the illegal discharge of fireworks coupled with the dry and windy
conditions are problematic.

“This means
that fire risk is prevalent due to the combination of elements. We therefore
would like to advise residents to consider these additional dangers carefully
in addition to the distress it causes animals, especially dogs,” Brown said.

#13;

Issued on behalf of the Nelson Mandela Bay
Municipality by Media Management Officer Kupido Baron (082 780 2726 / 041 506
1555 / kbaron@mandelametro.gov.za / @kupidobaron).