The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety has intensified road-traffic law enforcement with a stern warning to motorists who continue to drink and drive.
Over the past weekend (26 to 28 September), 35 drivers were taken off the road for driving under the influence of alcohol, bringing the total number of arrests for this offence to 118 for the month. These arrests form part of the ongoing Phuza Weekend Operation, which continues to be rolled out across all districts of the province.
In the latest weekend operation, law-enforcement officers recorded alarming levels of intoxication, with the highest blood alcohol reading measured at 1.17mg/1000ml in the Mopani District, almost five times more than the legal limit for ordinary drivers.
In South Africa, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for ordinary drivers is 0.05 grams per 100 millilitres of blood (or 0.24 milligrams per 1 000 millilitres of breath). This means that even small amounts of alcohol can put a driver over the limit, depending on factors such as body weight, metabolism, and whether food has been eaten. For professional drivers, such as those who hold a public driving permit, the limit is even stricter: 0.02 grams per 100 millilitres of blood (or 0.10 milligrams per 1 000 millilitres of breath). These lower thresholds reflect the higher level of responsibility expected from drivers who carry passengers or drive for commercial purposes.
Exceeding these limits is a criminal offence under the National Road Traffic Act and can result in arrest, fines, imprisonment, and the suspension of a driver's licence. Importantly, the legal limit is very low, and even one drink may be enough to put some drivers over the threshold. The law is designed to discourage drinking and driving entirely as alcohol impairs judgement, slows reaction times, and increases the risk of accidents. Authorities regularly run roadblocks and breathalyser tests to enforce compliance and improve road safety.
The Vhembe District recorded the second-highest number of arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol, totalling 13 drivers. The Waterberg District had the most arrests with 17 drivers, while four drivers were arrested in the Capricorn District and one in the Mopani District.
Judging by the number of arrests, it is clear that Vhembe does have a problem with drunk drivers. The previous week (17 to 19 September), Vhembe recorded the highest number of arrests for drunk driving in the province, with eight cases out of a total of 17 arrests. The most severe case recorded was 0.60mg/1000ml.
Following the past weekend's blitz, the MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye, commended law-enforcement officers for their unwavering dedication and delivered a strong message to the public.
"Every arrest is a step towards safer roads. Drunk driving is not only illegal, it is selfish and deadly. Too many families are left broken because of one person's reckless choice to drink and drive. I urge all motorists to act responsibly. If you drink, do not get behind the wheel. Designate a sober driver, make use of public transport, or arrange for a ride-hailing service," said Mathye.
The Phuza Weekend Operation will be sustained and intensified as the festive season approaches to reduce reckless behaviour on our roads. Motorists are reminded that anyone caught driving under the influence will face the full might of the law.