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52% of accidents caused by drink-driving - Isaac

02/12/2011 00:00:00 WELCOME DLAMINI

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MNABANE – Driving under the influence of alcohol is the number one cause of traffic accidents in Swaziland – accounting for 52 per cent of this year’s cases.

Statistics provided yesterday by Police Commissioner Isaac Magagula reflect that there are 753 serious and fatal road accidents that occurred since January 2011, which means 392 of these were caused by drink-driving.

The police chief said they were doing all they could to arrest the problem of drink-driving but motorists did not seem to listen.

"I wish there was a weekend where we would not arrest anyone for drink-driving. There is a contributing factor of alcohol in most road accidents that we record. We cannot allow that," Magagula said.

This was during yesterday’s media breakfast meeting hosted by the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund where the Police Commissioner was guest speaker.

Magagula said the joint-second causes of road accidents are ‘pedestrian error’ and ‘inattentive and negligent driving’, which account for 15 per cent each.

"We are all pedestrians at some point. We need to instil a culture of change in our pedestrians," the Commissioner said, while noting that there was a lack of mutual understanding and respect between drivers and motorists.

Unroadworthy vehicles and stray animals each contribute four per cent to the total number of road accidents.

Road engineering and signage, inclusive of potholes, waterlogged road surfaces and poor markings, account for three per cent of the accidents, while other factors (which include not wearing a seatbelt) make up four per cent.

The Commissioner advised: "All these factors I have mentioned contribute to road accidents. The motoring public must always take things into consideration when driving. In the case of a seatbelt, for instance, do not panic and rush to put it on when you see an accident or roadblock in front of you because you might cause an accident. It is better that you are charged."

He cautioned inattentive drivers not to get behind the steering wheel when they have ‘problems’ because they might cause accidents.

Magagula gave his assurance to the nation that police were doing all they could to reduce the number of road accidents.

Cops should not camp outside liquor outlets

MBABANE – Traffic police officers should not mount roadblocks outside liquor outlets or waylay motorists, Police Commissioner Isaac Magagula has said.

Even though Magagula said the allegations of waylaying patrons near pubs or their homes remain unsubstantiated, he succinctly stated that it was wrong to do so.

He termed the waylaying as ‘kucothela’.

"Firstly, police would be intimidating those who are drinking. Secondly, if they camp outside liquor outlets then they are destroying business. It is unethical to do so. We will see how to deal with it if it is true. You wouldn’t drink properly if you see the police outside the liquor outlet you are in. It would be unethical and overzealous in our approach," the police chief said.

He said a roadblock could be staged near a pub due to an accident factor determined by the police but not for the purposes of waylaying pub patrons.

"Police can only go into a liquor outlet to protect people but not to monitor how much motorists drink. That is intimidation. If police do that then it is wrong," Magagula said.

Accidents drop by 16 per cent

MBABANE – This year, the number of traffic accidents has gone down by 16 per cent compared to 2010.

Last year, there were 5 941 traffic accidents recorded whereas, since January 2011 to date, a total of 4 989 accidents occurred.

The decline has been attributed mainly to the police efforts to curb drink-driving.

Presenting these statistics yesterday, Police Commissioner Isaac Magagula said, if the numbers were anything to go by, then ‘we are winning the battle.’

He said since the drink-driving campaign began, road accidents where alcohol is a factor have been gradually declining.

"We can do better. We cannot be complacent. There is no reason why we cannot be 100 per cent safe on the road. That is the culture we want to inculcate in the people out there," the commissioner said.

Magagula said road safety was their foremost concern because it has adverse socio-economic effects.

"Someone could be crippled because of an accident; there could be the death of either the driver or passengers. Who will take care of their next of kin? The next of kin may turn to crime for a living. This then becomes a vicious cycle," Magagula said.

He noted that loss of life or incapacitation due to road accidents robs the country of the deceased persons’ contribution to economic growth.

"To bring (traffic accident) problems under control, police will continue to intensify visibility on the roads through patrols, speed traps, the mounting of roadblocks and stop-and-check operations and religious enforcement of traffic laws and regulations," the commissioner added.

Comments

These cops are talkin a whole lot of rubbish... they just tryin to justify their rubbish... Swazi cops have nothing to do bati nje to arrest people for drunken driving, jaywalking neku shaya bantfu for knowing their rights.
Dec 2, 2011, 2:17 PM, nqobzin