A preliminary report from the Western Cape Department of Health’s Forensic Pathology Services indicates that 14 road users died on the province’s roads over the long weekend.
Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services arrested 19 motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on 29 and 30 April 2016. Eight other arrests were made: three in connection with vehicle impoundments in Somerset West, one in connection with impoundment in Brackenfell, one in connection with reckless and negligent driving in Brackenfell, one for bribery in Worcester, one in possession of dagga in Somerset West, and one for possession of mandrax tablets in Swellendam.
Breath testing was performed on 1 685 drivers at 25 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Mossel Bay service area. At 1.32 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is over five times the legal limit of 0.24 mg/ 1 000 ml.
A total of 6 926 vehicles were screened for speeding and 477 speeding offences were recorded. The highest speeds recorded were 167 km/h in a 120 km/h zone on the N1 in the Brackenfell service area, and 98 km/h in an 80 km/h zone on the N2 in the Somerset West service area.
A total of 253 fines in the amount of R349 150 were issued for various traffic law infringements, including driver and vehicle fitness violations.
Date and time | Description of crash | Fatalities |
Saturday, 30 Apr 2016 01:30 |
A Toyota Tazz ran out of fuel on the George Airport road and was hit by a Pajero. | 1 driver 2 adult passengers 2 children |
Saturday, 30 Apr 2016 08:40 |
A driver lost control over a vehicle on the N1 at Old Oak Interchange | 2 passengers |
Saturday, 30 Apr 2016 22:10 |
A pedestrian was knocked down by a motor vehicle on the N2 at Mew Way, Khayelitsha | 1 pedestrian |
Saturday, 30 Apr 2016 22:25 |
A head-on collision involving two motor vehicles took place on the N2 at Somerset West | 1 driver |
Saturday, 30 Apr 2016 |
A car hit a pedestrian at the Engen One Stop on the N1 | 1 pedestrian |
Monday, 2 May 2016 00:30 |
A driver lost control over a light delivery vehicle opposite the Manenberg Police Station in Klipfontein Rd | 3 passengers |
Monday, 2 May 2016 afternoon |
A pedestrian was killed on the R27 at Dennefontein | 1 pedestrian |
This is an appeal from the Department of Transport and Public Works: never use your cell phone while driving. Distracted driving can be fatal. As the United States National Road Safety Council points out, the ability of a person’s brain to process moving images decreases by 33% when he or she is on the phone. Drivers cannot respond quickly to what is happening on the road when they are distracted. This is true even if they are using a hands-free apparatus. Road crashes can result in serious injuries and death. No phone call or text message is so important that it is worth a human life.
Follow Safely Home on Twitter @WCGovSafelyHome under the hashtag #ItCanWait
Kenny Africa
Provincial Traffic Chief
Department of Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 5114/ 7823
Cell: 084 562 4574
Email: Kenneth.Africa@westerncape.gov.za
You can follow the Department of Transport and Public Works on Twitter: @WCGovTPW