Five fatalities on Western Cape roads

A driver who was seven times over the legal limit was one of 18 motorists arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol over the weekend. Five fatalities were reported on the province’s roads, according to a preliminary report from Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services.

• Five motorists were arrested in the Somerset West service area for driving under the influence, 
• four in George, 
• three in Worcester, 
• two in Brackenfell, 
• two in Knysna, 
• one in Swellendam, and
• one in Mossel Bay.

Breath testing was performed on 1 231 drivers at 25 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Swellendam service area. At 1,86 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is over seven times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

A total of 107 speeding offences were recorded and 204 fines in the amount of R207 700 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.

Highest speeds

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

The Department of Transport and Public Works commends traffic officers for arresting all drivers who were suspected of driving under the influence. They have done this in the interest of making roads safer for everybody. Drinking and driving is a choice that comes with consequences. Over time we expect fewer people to take the risk of driving under the influence, for their own safety and the safety of others.

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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