No licence, no lift

A taxi driver was arrested for driving under the influence during a learner transport safety operation at Thembalethu Primary School on Monday morning, 23 February, after the traffic officers recorded a breathalyser reading of 0.28 mg/L.

- Kristy Kolberg

In some cases, breathalyser tests were performed.

(Photos: Kristy Kolberg)

This put him about three times over the limit, as the legal alcohol limit for professional drivers, including taxi and learner transport drivers, is 0.1 mg/L.

The intervention follows ongoing community concerns about overloaded vehicles and unlicensed drivers transporting learners. Several vehicles carrying schoolkids, as well as some other vehicles, were stopped and inspected during the operation. Several drivers were fined for offences including operating without valid transport permits, driving without valid driver's licences, and general roadworthiness issues.