2012-12-10 10:27
Cape Town – Sleepy Western Cape motorists will now be pulled off the road and have their keys confiscated in a move to lower accidents caused by fatigue, it was reported on Monday.
The Cape Times reported that a fatigue management plan aimed at public transport had been operating for a year, but was extended to all drivers three days ago by provincial traffic chief Kenny Africa.
Africa was advised to extend the plan by provincial transport MEC Robin Carlisle, who said most fatal accidents in the province so far this month had been fatigue related.
Asked whether it was legal to confiscate keys and force drivers to rest, Carlisle told the newspaper: “I have no idea, but I don’t care either… We’ve got no option but to pull out all the stops, whether illegal or legal… I just don’t know what else to do than to become very rough.”
Africa said officers would look out for symptoms including red eyes and drowsiness in drivers.
If identified as fatigued, the officer would take the car keys, park the vehicle in a safe spot and let the driver rest.
– SAPA
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Blitz on sleepy drivers in Western Cape