Long weekend claims 19 lives on WC roads | Western Cape Government

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Long weekend claims 19 lives on WC roads

28 December 2016

Report on weekend provincial traffic law enforcement operations

It was a dark long weekend on Western Cape roads as a preliminary report from Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services indicates that 19 road users lost their lives. Among these was a horrific crash near De Doorns which claimed the lives of 13 people who were apparently on their way to visit loved ones over Christmas. Two child pedestrians, the first only one year old and other five, tragically lost their lives after being hit by motor vehicles on the West Coast.

Provincial traffic officers arrested 16 motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on 23 and 24 December 2016. Seven were arrested in the Mossel Bay service area; three in George; two in Worcester; two in Brackenfell; one in Beaufort West; and one in Swellendam.

Breath testing was performed on 1 365 drivers at 20 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Mossel Bay service area. At 1,24 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is over five times over the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

Three other persons were arrested: one for excessive speed in Laingsburg (175 km/h in a 120 km/h zone); one for excessive speed in Beaufort West (164 km/h in a 120 km/h zone); and one for false documentation in Brackenfell.

A total of 3 391 vehicles were screened for speeding and 356 speeding offences were recorded. Fines in the amount of R340 750 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.

The highest speeds recorded were 175 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the Beaufort West service area; 131 km/h in a 100 km/h zone in the Vredendal service area; and 108 km in an 80 km/h zone in the Somerset West service area.

Details of road fatalities

 Date                                              

 Location of crash              

 Fatalities                

 Friday, 23 December 2016

 Beaufort West

 1 driver

 Friday, 23 December 2016

 Vredendal

 1 child pedestrian

 Friday, 23 December 2016

 Lutzville

 1 passenger

 Friday, 23 December 2016

 N1 Leeu Gamka

 1 passenger
 1 child passenger

 Saturday, 24 December 2016

 N1 De Doorns

 1 driver
 12 passengers

 Tuesday, 27 December 2016

 Lamberts Bay

 1 child pedestrian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



The Department of Transport and Public Works is doing everything in its power to create safer, booze-free roads during the festive season and beyond. We play our part by conducting ongoing road safety awareness and education initiatives, traffic law enforcement operations such as roadblocks with key road safety agencies and en route inspections, as well as road traffic engineering to ensure that signs are visible, camera equipment is functional, and roads are of a high quality.

What is generally a time filled with happiness and celebration has now become a time of danger for road users. We urge drivers to be extra careful. All road users are responsible for road safety. Good driving and pedestrian habits are essential. We can help to prevent the unnecessary loss of lives on our roads if we all work together and show consideration and respect for our fellow road users.

Our condolences go out to the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives.

Join Safely Home on Twitter @WCGovSafelyHome under the hashtag #BoozeFreeRoads

Media Enquiries: 

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

Byron la Hoe
Communication Officer
Department of Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 9813
Cell: 079 281 8570
Email: Byron.laHoe@westerncape.gov.za