GEORGE NEWS - The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has called for tough action against people arrested for drunk driving, including making them spend at least seven days behind bars before they can be considered for bail.
The TRMC has made a proposal to the department of justice that driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI), speeding and reckless or negligent driving be reclassified in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act. The RTMC wants the department to change DUI from a schedule 2 to a schedule 5 offence, which would mean that motorists arrested for it would receive harsher treatment from the courts.
The proposal recommends that DUI suspects be treated in the same way as those accused of crimes such as rape, murder, theft, and fraud. Makhosini Msibi, CEO of the RTMC, said the law needs to be tightened to fight the scourge of DUI, which he said was the leading cause of road accidents and fatalities, especially during the holiday season. "We have engaged the department of justice and continue to do so with a view to redefine the traffic offences.
"Currently if we arrest you for drunk driving, you can be granted bail in terms of section 59 of the Criminal Procedure Act, and the senior person at the police station can offer bail. If we then escalate it to schedule 5 or schedule 6, it should be a formal bail application in court," said Msibi.
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