Sixteen arrested on Western Cape roads since Monday

Provincial Traffic Services arrested nine motorists this week for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol. Traffic officers arrested a total of 70 drunken drivers in the first two weeks of January.

Since Monday, 11 January 2016, traffic officers have stopped a total of 16 638 vehicles in roadblocks across the province. Alcohol breath-testing was performed on 1 937 motorists. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in Knysna. At 0.78 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is three times the legal limit of 0.24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

Details of drunken driving arrests:

• 2 in the Somerset West service area on 11 January 2016.
• 1 in the Knysna service area on 12 January 2016.
• 1 in the Mossel Bay service area on 12 January 2016.
• 1 in the Somerset West service area on 12 January 2016.
• 1 in the Knysna service area on 13 January 2016.
• 1 in the Laingsburg service area on 13 January 2016.
• 1 in the Mossel Bay service area on 13 January 2016.
• 1 in the Somerset West service area on 13 January 2016.

A total of nine vehicles were impounded for being unlicensed and/ or un-roadworthy. The licences of 27 vehicles were suspended until they have been certified as roadworthy and owners have renewed their vehicle licences.

The largest numbers of suspended vehicles (nine) was recorded in the Somerset West service area.

A total of 3 363 vehicles were screened for speeding and 532 speeding offences were recorded. Speeding fines worth R52 400 were issued. A total of 1 690 vehicles were stopped in Average Speed Over Distance (ASOD) traffic law enforcement operations and 19 speeding offences were recorded.

The highest speeds were recorded on the N1 in the Brackenfell service area (175 km/h in a 120 km/h zone), on the R27 in the Vredendal service area (133 km/h in a 100 km/h zone), on the N2 in the Knysna service area (118 km/h in an 80 km/h zone) and on the R62 in the Oudtshoorn service area (91 km/h in a 60 km/h zone). These drivers face heavy fines and will appear in court soon.

Another seven arrests were made – two in connection minibus taxi/ public transport permit-related offences in Brackenfell and Knysna, two for negligent driving in Worcester and Laingsburg, one in connection with a vehicle impoundment in George, one in connection with false documentation in George, and one for excessive speed (110km/h in an 80km/h zone) in Vredenburg.

The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.

Breakdown of fines issued for various traffic violations

Help us to create booze-free roads. The simple fact is that alcohol and roads don’t mix. Drunk drivers put their own lives and those of their passengers in danger, as well as the lives of other road users. By taking the decision not to drink and drive, and sharing your decision with your family and friends, you can influence the behaviour of others in a positive way.

Motorists can make themselves and others safer by buckling up front and back at all times, driving carefully and considerately, and always remaining within the speed limit.