Seven fatalities on Western Cape roads

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

Provincial traffic officers arrested 23 motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on 9 and 10 June 2017.

• Eight were arrested in the Mossel Bay service area, 
• seven in George, 
• five in Swellendam, 
• one in Brackenfell, 
• one in Caledon, and
• one in Oudtshoorn.

Breath testing was performed on 1 233 drivers at 23 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Caledon service area. At 1,50 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is over six times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

A total of 31 speeding offences were recorded. A total of 250 fines in the amount of R301 500 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.

Highest speeds

• 151 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the Beaufort West service area, and
• 133 km/h in a 100 km/h zone in the Swellendam service area.

Details of road fatalities

Shorter, darker days, fog and rain during the Western Cape winter months hamper visibility and can increase the risk of a road traffic crash. Don't miss out on your future because you didn't see another road user, or weren't seen yourself. Travel more slowly when visibility is poor and the roads are wet. Wear visible clothing when you walk next to a road. If you are not seen on the road, you may not see your future. 

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