Four fatalities on Western Cape roads

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

Provincial traffic officers arrested 23 motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on 3 and 4 February 2017. Five were arrested in the George service area; three in Caledon; three in Swellendam; two in Brackenfell; two in Mossel Bay; two in Oudtshoorn; one in Beaufort West; one in Laingsburg; one in Somerset West; one in Knysna; one in Vredendal; and one in Worcester.

Two speedsters were also apprehended, one clocking 191 km/h in a 120 km/h zone near Beaufort West, and the other travelling at 168 km/h in a 100 km/h zone near Swellendam. Our officers will continue to patrol high-risk routes and will not hesitate to stop and arrest drivers suspected of speeding. These officers are saving lives.

Breath testing was performed on 2 176 drivers at 24 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Brackenfell service area. At 1,17 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is almost five times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

Two other persons were arrested:

• One for overloading in Swellendam; and
• One for false documentation in Worcester.

A total of 343 speeding offences were recorded. Fines in the amount of R416 450 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.

The highest speeds recorded in each traffic service area were: 191 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the Beaufort West service area; 168 km/h in a 100 km/h zone in the Swellendam service area; and 105 km/h in an 80 km/h zone in the Knysna service area.

Details of road fatalities

We want the public to assist us to create safer roads. The fewer incidents on our roads, the more quickly our response agencies can attend to emergencies. We can’t ensure road safety alone. All of us have a role to play.

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