Five people killed on Western Cape roads over the weekend

Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services arrested 32 motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 March 2016.

Four other arrests were made:

• one for reckless and negligent driving in Mossel Bay,
• one for bribery in Worcester,
• one for fraudulent document in Somerset West, and
• one in Grabouw for the illegal possession of R400 000 worth of abalone.

In addition, five people died in road crashes over the weekend.

Breath testing was performed on 2 484 drivers at 26 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Somerset West service area. At 1.15 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is four times the legal limit of 0.24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

A total of 5 013 vehicles were screened for speeding and 857 speeding offences were recorded. The highest speeds recorded were 164 km/h in a 120 km/h zone on the N1 in the Brackenfell service area, 158 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the N1 in the Brackenfell service area, and 98 km/h in an 80 km/h zone on the N1 in the Somerset West service area.

These drivers face heavy fines.

A total of 246 fines in the amount of R323 000 were issued for various traffic law infringements, including driver and vehicle fitness violations. 

Road crash fatalities

The Department of Transport and Public Works appeals to motorists to make themselves and others safer by:

• not drinking and driving,
• buckling up in the front and back at all times,
• driving carefully and considerately, and
• always remaining within the speed limit.

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