Two motorcyclists killed on Western Cape roads this weekend

A preliminary report from Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services indicates that two road users died on the province’s roads over the weekend.

Provincial traffic officers arrested 30 motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on 21 and 22 October 2016.

• Eleven were arrested in the Mossel Bay service area, 
• eight in Worcester, 
• three in Swellendam, 
• three in Knysna, 
• two in Caledon, 
• one in Brackenfell, 
• one in George, and
• one in Vredendal.

Breath testing was performed on 1 516 drivers at 25 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Worcester service area. At 1,17 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is five times over the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

In addition, three arrests were made:

• one drunken pedestrian in Vredendal, 
• one in connection with false documentation in Vredendal, and
• one for obstructing a traffic officer in the execution of duty in Oudtshoorn.

A total of 3 155 vehicles were screened for speeding and 265 speeding offences were recorded. Fines in the amount of R241 550 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.

Highest speeds recorded 

• 159 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the Brackenfell service area, 
• 138 km/h in a 100 km/h zone in the Oudtshoorn service area, and
• 105 km in an 80 km/h zone in the Somerset West service area.

Details of road fatalities

During October, the Department of Transport and Public Works will be focusing on child road safety including:

• road safety talks at schools,
• seatbelt compliance,
• learner transport operations, and
• scholar patrol audits and training.

Comprehensive road safety education for children requires the involvement of traffic officers, parents, teachers and other adults in a community. Together, we can set a good example for children by consistently adhering to the rules of the road.

Follow Safely Home on Twitter @WCGovSafelyHome under the hashtag #SaveKidsLives.