Tragic Weekend on Cape Town Roads

It was a tragic weekend for road users in the Western Cape. Twenty- two people died in 18 separate crashes on the province’s roads. Six were pedestrians, seven of them drivers, two motor cyclists, and seven were passengers.

Eleven of those who died were killed on roads in the Cape Town Metropolitan area. Eight of those who died were killed in crashes that occurred in the Cape Winelands/Overberg area. Two drivers died in crashes on the West Coast.

A total of 25 alcohol blitz roadblocks were held this weekend across the Western Cape and about 2 421 vehicles were stopped as part of Provincial Traffic Services safety campaign.

A total of 1 690 drivers were screened for (being under suspicion of) driving under the influence of alcohol resulting in 45 arrests.

The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in Knysna at 1.10 mg/1 000 ml, which was four times the legal limit of 0.24 mg/1 000 ml.

A total of 6 345 vehicles were screened for speeding of which 671 speeding offences were recorded.  Two hundred and fifty seven (257) fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness to the amount of R 299 300.

Highest Speeds

• 162 km/h in a 120 km/h zone on the N1 in the Brackenfell service area.
• 129 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the N2 in the Caledon service area.
• 121 km/h in a 60 km/h zone on the N2 in the Somerset West service area.

Four Other Arrests

• 1 x Excessive Speed Arrest (Mossel Bay).
• 1 x Reckless & Negligent Driving Arrest (Somerset West).
• 1 x Dagga Arrest (Beaufort West).
• 1 x Possession of Narcotics Arrest (Vredenburg).

This weekend 22 fatalities were reported:

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