The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department and South African Breweries (SAB) are working together to reduce road fatalities caused by drinking and driving.They launched and officially opened an Alcohol Evidence Centre in Dube, Soweto, and handed over seven Alcohol Evidentiary Mobile Units.

REDUCING DRUNK DRIVING 

Speaking to Zimoja JMPD spokesman Xolani Fihla said the centre will go a long way in helping them to curb drunk and driving incidences. "This comes at an opportune time as we are entering the festive season and drunk and driving incidences spike. The centre and mobile units are fitted with the necessary equipment to accurately and efficiently determine the breath alcohol level of a person suspected of driving under the influence."

STATE OF THE ART EQUIPMENT

He said if a police officer suspects that a driver is driving under the influence and they do not have a breathalyser, they will be able to escort the driver to the centre for a test in a state-of-the-art breathalyser machine. Fihla said this is done to enable law enforcement authorities to effectively prosecute transgressors and to also ensure that the evidence is properly collected and is admissible in court. "We have our standard operating procedure  in place and we will be adhering to the strictest National Prosecuting Authority guidelines in terms of drunk driving." According to SAB, this is not a first as they've established more than 15 such centres across South Africa. SAB said the centres have contributed to the decrease in road fatalities and an increase in the arrest of those driving under the influence.