After a record number of drunk driving arrests during the last long weekend in KwaZulu-Natal, The Independent on Saturday decided to conduct tests on three commercial breathalysers and the official "Drager" unit.
The test results revealed that it took five Black Label beers to get one of our test subjects over the legal limit while the other had still not reached the legal limit after having six Castle Lites.
During the last long weekend 192 drivers were arrested for drinking and driving in KwaZulu-Natal.
A total of 19 taxi drivers with taxi loads of commuters were among those arrested for drunken driving.
Durban Metro Police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Thozamile Tyala said some drivers were more than five times over the limit of 0.05g (0.24 mg/l).
Tyala said it was even more frightening that taxi drivers who were supposed to adhere to the legal limit of 0.02g (0.11 mg/l) had also been well over the limit.
"Similarly, we had some taxi drivers who we caught driving with a full load of passengers. This is indeed sad as these commuters' lives are being put into the hands of these irresponsible drivers."
Durban District Surgeon Dr Mike van Schalkwyk said it was "frightening" that some people were able to consume large amounts of alcohol and still be under the legal limit.
"It is indeed strange but true that some motorists are able to drink a six pack of beers without testing illegal. It is a shocking reality."
- The Independent
The test results revealed that it took five Black Label beers to get one of our test subjects over the legal limit while the other had still not reached the legal limit after having six Castle Lites.
In light of these tests a Durban district surgeon is concerned that drivers who are incapable of driving are still able to beat the breathalyser at roadblocks.
During the last long weekend 192 drivers were arrested for drinking and driving in KwaZulu-Natal.
A total of 19 taxi drivers with taxi loads of commuters were among those arrested for drunken driving.
Durban Metro Police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Thozamile Tyala said some drivers were more than five times over the limit of 0.05g (0.24 mg/l).
Tyala said it was even more frightening that taxi drivers who were supposed to adhere to the legal limit of 0.02g (0.11 mg/l) had also been well over the limit.
"Similarly, we had some taxi drivers who we caught driving with a full load of passengers. This is indeed sad as these commuters' lives are being put into the hands of these irresponsible drivers."
Durban District Surgeon Dr Mike van Schalkwyk said it was "frightening" that some people were able to consume large amounts of alcohol and still be under the legal limit.
"It is indeed strange but true that some motorists are able to drink a six pack of beers without testing illegal. It is a shocking reality."
- The Independent
No comments:
Post a Comment