KZN to implement six-year prison sentence for drunk drivers

THE KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma has announced strict new measures against drunk driving in KwaZulu-Natal, including a six-year prison sentence for offenders.

Emergency services and community forums have welcomed the initiative, while families of victims have shared their painful experiences of losing loved ones to intoxicated drivers.

During the launch of the Easter Road Safety Campaign last week, Duma warned that drivers could face a six-year prison sentence if found driving under the influence of alcohol.

KwaZulu-Natal is bracing itself for a bumper Easter weekend, with more that 1 500 vehicles per  hour expected to pass through the Mariannhill toll plaza from tomorrow.

In a bid to reduce the road fatalities, 120 law enforcement officers will be deployed to the province's roads while 837 officers will conduct law enforcement operations.

“Law enforcement officers must have no mercy on those caught drinking and driving. South Africa has the highest number of alcohol-related road traffic deaths at 57.5%. 

“We have orphans, widows and families that have been destroyed as a result of one drunkard. We don’t want KZN to contribute to the national figure of fatalities as a result of one drunk person,” said Duma.

He said law enforcement officers had been mandated to arrest those motorists and send them to jail. 

“They must be allowed to sober up behind bars and be released on bail after April 21.

“We will work with the National Prosecuting Authority to ensure a successful prosecution and conviction of a prison sentence of six years. The fine of between R2 000 and R120 000 is not enough. We must aim for a prison sentence to end this scourge,” said Duma. 

Thania Dhoogra, chief operating officer of N3TC/N3 Toll Concession, agreed with Duma’s zero tolerance approach.

"The N3TC welcomes and supports all initiatives taken by national and provincial government departments and law enforcement authorities to help make our roads safer for road users and pedestrians. 

“Statistics show that more than 75% of crash incidents on the N3 Toll Route in 2024 were attributable to human error, and since many of these were single vehicle crashes, this highlights the impact of driver negligence, distraction and general lawlessness. Law enforcement is of crucial importance as is the duty every individual has to share the road responsibly,” said Dhoogra. 

Garrith Jamieson, managing director of ALS Paramedics, said implementing the six-year prison sentence would help. 

“This implementation would definitely assist emergency services in having to deal with accidents or crashes where people are driving under the influence of alcohol. 

“We attend multiple accidents daily and definitely note that during the holiday times, at night, and on the weekends, many people appear to be under the influence of alcohol. 

“So hopefully this will be a stern warning that people need to act responsibly and should they drink, rather catch a taxi or have a dedicated driver. I applaud this sentence that's about to be initiated and hopefully it will bring down the number of fatalities that we're currently experiencing on our roads every day,” said Jamieson. 

Yugen Pillay, chairman of the Chatsworth Community Policing Forum, said he was eager to see the rule implemented. 

“It will hopefully reduce the number of accidents. The new law will certainly make people act more responsibly and it will be up to the individual to adhere to the new law and take it seriously,” said Pillay. 

Mark Nadasen, the vice chairman of the Phoenix Community Policing Forum, said they supported Duma’s stance.

“The Phoenix Community Policing Forum fully supports MEC Duma's decision to impose a 6-year jail penalty for driving under the influence of alcohol. A penalty this severe would serve as a deterrent and save a countless number of lives by lowering the frequency of alcohol-related collisions on our roadways.

“The CPF is willing to work tirelessly with the state to raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving and advocate for harsher penalties to keep our roads safe,” said Nadasen. 

Metro Police Spokesperson Colonel Boysie Zungu said the six-year prison sentence was still in the discussion phase at provincial level.

However, with concerns about the long Easter weekend, metro police will increase their deployments in all regions and freeways, he said. 

“The public will see an increase in foot patrol in all CBDs and along the beaches but there will be no road closure this time around, but rather more roadblocks will be conducted to ensure we reduce road fatality resulting from drinking and driving.

“Patrols will be conducted at night in all residential areas to increase police visibility. We want to appeal to church leaders to add road safety gospels in their sermons and we advise organisations to appeal to transports, such as taxis and buses, to avoid overloading. 

“Those travelling long distances should stop every two hours to rest, especially those attending midnight mass and then deciding to drive the next morning after being awake the whole night. Always arrive alive,” said Zungu. 

THE POST