WATCH | Birthday girl’s big day ends with drunk-driving arrest

A Newcastle woman’s birthday celebrations took an unexpected turn when she was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and then serenaded with a birthday song by Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officers.

KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said 14 motorists were arrested for drunk driving in Newcastle during an intensified #NenzaniLaEzweni road safety operation on Friday night.

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Duma said one of those arrested was a woman who accused law enforcement officers of “messing up her birthday” and demanded that he be informed about her big day.

Instead, RTI officers sang “Happy Birthday” to her before she was detained.

The arrests form part of intensified road safety operations during October Transport Month.

Driver for traditional leader among those arrested

Duma said one of the motorists arrested was a driver for a traditional leader who recorded an alcohol level 8.3 times over the legal limit.

The arrested motorists included two foreign nationals whose documentation is being investigated to establish its authenticity.

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According to Duma, those arrested also included an administration clerk, two self-employed people, a co-ordinator at Majuba District Municipality, a general worker, a pensioner, a security guard and a mine worker.

Duma commended the RTI team, saying it had achieved a 98% success rate in drunk-driving cases.

He warned that speeding, reckless driving and drunk driving continue to have devastating consequences for families who lose loved ones in road crashes.

“Speeding, reckless driving, and drunk driving continue to cause the destruction of the lives of surviving family members who have to cope with the devastating consequences of losing their loved ones in road accidents,” said Duma.

The #NenzaniLaEzweni campaign, which asks motorists what they are doing on the country’s roads, is being intensified during Transport Month.