Alcohol Evidence Centres
Supporting law enforcement
SAB's goal in supporting the establishment of alcohol evidence centres (AECs), in partnership with law enforcement bodies in key metros and nine provinces, is to improve prosecution rates.
To date, sixteen centres have been launched. Each of the AEC’s were fitted with equipment to accurately detect a driver's breath alcohol level with a single breath sample.
The breathalyser used for breath testing was challenged in the Western Cape High Court. In September 2011 the Western Cape High Court ruled in a case where the scientific reliability of the Dräger Alcotest and the evidence it generates was tested. As a result Driving Under the Influence cases are no longer being prosecuted on the basis of a breath test.
A task team has been set up by government to manage the re-introduction of breath testing, by taking into consideration the ruling made by the High Court judge.
The AEC’s will be operational on completion of the task team’s mandate.
