Seven killed on Western Cape roads over the weekend

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

Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services arrested 24 motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on 15 and 16 July 2016.

• Nine were arrested in the Worcester service area, 
• six in Somerset West, 
• five in George, 
• two in Knysna, 
• one in Caledon, and
• one in Mossel Bay.

Three other arrests were made:

• one in connection with impoundment in Caledon, 
• one in connection with impoundment in Mossel Bay, and
• one for excessive speed in Touws River.

Breath testing was performed on 1 479 drivers at 25 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Somerset West service area. At 1,20 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is five times the legal limit of 1,05 mg/ 1 000 ml.

A total of 2 269 vehicles were screened for speeding and 373 speeding offences were recorded. Fines in the amount of R318 150 were issued for a variety of reasons ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.

Highest speeds recorded

• 210 km/h in a 120 km/h zone on the N1 in the Brackenfell service area, 
• 148 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the N1 in the Worcester service area, 
• 115 km/h in an 80 km/h on the N1 in the Worcester service area, and
• 99 km/h in a 60 km/h zone on the R399 in the Vredenburg service area.

Road fatalities

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.