Brewery aids govt to curb alcohol abuse by road users

SEBONGILE MATHE

MASERU – In an effort to address road accidents caused by driving under the influence of alcohol, Maluti Mountain Brewery (MMB) handed over an Alcohol Evident Centre Truck to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to promote responsible alcohol intake and road safety in Lesotho.

This is as the country battles with increased cases of road accidents. The Minister of Public Works and Transport, Matjato Moteane expressed concern over the high number of road accidents in the country, attributing 66% of deaths to these occurrences.

He says MMB donation came at the right time and promised it will be well taken care of as it contributes to the service delivery by his ministry. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Moqhebi Likhama revealed statistics linked to driving under the influence.

Of the road accidents in Leribe, Likhama said 65% of drivers were under the influence of alcohol, and they were arrested and prosecuted, Mohale’s Hoek had 67% of fatalities caused by alcohol influence while it was said in Maseru of the 120 individual arrested, 90% of them appeared in court while 10% of cases are pending.

Studies show that most deaths on the roads are caused by high speed and misuse of alcohol. Hence, Likhama is pleading with the road users to always adhere to laws regarding road safety. “More than 70% of car accidents are caused by driving under the influence of alcohol,” declares Likhama.  

According to Road Safety Officer, Setsoto Putsoa, there is a law that regulates people driving under the influence of alcohol under the Traffic Act 1981, Act 8 of 1981, section 92. The law reads as follows: “A person, who drives or attempts to drive a motor vehicle on a public road while under the influence of drink or drug to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the motor vehicle, is guilty of an offence and liable to M1000 fine and one-year imprisonment.”

He further said, if one is found intoxicated and his/her test limit is over 100 ml, they will be taken to penal cell then they will be taken to court the following day. About 30 breathalyzers were donated to the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) on March 2022, however, there was not much activity done compared to now as there are people who were arrested and taken to court over the past weekend.