Four pedestrians killed on Western Cape roads this weekend

A preliminary report from the Western Cape Department of Health’s Forensic Pathology Services indicates that four road users died on the province’s roads over the weekend.

Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services arrested 26 motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on 8 and 9 July 2016.

• seven were arrested in the Mossel Bay service area, 
• six in Swellendam, 
• four in Brackenfell, 
• three in George, 
• two in Knysna, 
• one in Somerset West, 
• one in Vredenburg, 
• one in Vredendal, and
• one in Oudtshoorn.

Three other arrests were made:

• one in possession of dagga in Somerset West, 
• one in connection with excessive speed in Mossel Bay, and
• one in connection with excessive speed in Vredendal.

Breath testing was performed on 1 709 drivers at 23 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Caledon service area. At 1.12 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is four times the legal limit of 1.05 mg/ 1 000 ml.

A total of 2 068 vehicles were screened for speeding and 278 speeding offences were recorded. Fines in the amount of R245 850 were issued for a variety of reasons ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.

The highest speeds recorded:

• 169 km/h in a 120 km/h zone on the N2 in the Mossel Bay service area, 
• 134 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the N2 in the Caledon service area, 
• 112 km/h in an 80 km/h on the N7 in the Vredendal service area, and
• 84 km/h in a 60 km/h zone on the N2 in the Knysna service area.

Details of the road fatalities over the weekend:

Help us to create booze-free roads. The simple fact is that alcohol and roads don’t mix. Drivers under the influence 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.

Follow Safely Home’s July campaign on Twitter @WCGovSafelyHome under the hashtag #BoozeFreeRoads.