Instead of handing out fines and warnings, cheerful officers dished out free toll passes and R100 grocery vouchers. Surprised but happy motorists drove off without complaint.
It was the first-of-its-kind roadblock in South Africa.
The pilot project, similar to France's petrol-for-sobriety programme, was rolled out near the Mooi River toll plaza on the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban highway last week.
About 250 motorists were stopped, tested and rewarded. The roadblock was operated between 8am and noon.
Because all the drivers tested sober, it is expected that the time will be changed and then the campaign is repeated.
The pilot project is intended to assess whether rewards can contribute to reducing drunk driving and bringing down the high number of fatalities on the roads.
Meanwhile, the South Africans Against Drunk Driving said increased law enforcement would be more beneficial and wants more random alcohol testing, along with all drivers to be tested for alcohol and drugs at crash scenes.
Source: The Times via I-Net Bridge
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