Drunk driving kills five in Benoni

Five people have died on the day alcohol ban was lifted.

They were killed in a car accident linked to drunk driving.

In a statement issued by Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) on Wednesday, the five people died when their vehicle collided with another.

RTMC spokesperson, Simon Zwane said “Five people were killed and one injured when two vehicles collided in Benonion Tuesday.”

“Both drivers are suspected to have been under the influence of alcohol when one driver went into a curve at a speed not suitable for road conditions and collided head-on with another vehicle”

RTMC appeals to the law enforcement authorities to ensure that drunk drivers do not make use of public roads, especially at night.

According to research conducted by the corporation together with the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and the University of South Africa (Unisa), about 27.1% of fatal crashes in the country are as a result of drunk driving.

He added that other motorist and pedestrians are at more risk when a drunk driver uses a public road.

“Drunken driving operations should be prioritised during the night, weekends and throughout the year, as evidence shows that 55% of fatal crashes happen at night, about three out of five happen over the weekends and 70% happen during non-vacation periods,” said Zwane.

However, the RTMC, South African Police Service (Saps) and Ekurhuleni metro police are still investigating the cause of the Benoni crash.