Transport department aims at mandatory prison sentence for drunk driving
Talks with the Department of Justice over minimum sentences for offences are at an advanced stage, says minister
The Department of Transport has made progress in adjusting traffic offences laws to ensure harsher sanctions for drunk and negligent driving, including a mandatory prison sentence of at least two years upon conviction. The renewed resolve came in the face of a staggering 51% increase in road fatalities on South Africa’s roads during the Easter weekend. Road deaths for the 2017 Easter weekend stood at 235, a marked increase from the 156 deaths in the same period in 2016. year. Minister of Transport Joe Maswanganyi said on Friday the road deaths, many of which were caused by "human error", demanded tougher laws and sanctions against drivers who did not respect road rules. "We are at an advanced stage in the engagements with the Department of Justice with the minimum sentences for the offences of drunk driving and negligent driving, offences to be moved from [a] schedule 3 to schedule 5 offence to ensure that those who negligently cause crashes… do not get bail… and spend time behind b...
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