Eight people die on Western Cape roads

Eight people lost their lives over the weekend, according to a preliminary report from Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services.

A total of 32 motorists were arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol over the weekend.

• Twelve motorists were arrested in the George service area, 
• six in Mossel Bay, 
• three in Somerset West, 
• three in Worcester, 
• two in Brackenfell, 
• two in Beaufort West, 
• two in Mossel Bay, 
• one in Swellendam, and
• one in Knysna.

In addition, traffic officers made seven arrests:

• two for excessive speed in Vredenburg,
• one for excessive speed in Beaufort West,
• one for false documentation in Vredenburg,
• one for false documentation in Worcester,
• one for assault and resisting arrest in George, and
• one drunken pedestrian in Vredendal.

Breath testing was performed on 1 898 drivers at 27 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Beaufort West service area. At 1,27 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is over five times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

A total of 1 050 speeding offences were recorded and 244 fines in the amount of R336 950 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.

Highest speeds

• 203 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the Brackenfell service area, and
• 144 km/h in a 100 km/h zone in the Mossel Bay service area.

Details of road fatalities

Drivers under the influence put their own lives and those of their passengers in danger, as well as the lives of other road users. If you’re drinking, don’t drive or walk. Help us create booze-free roads. If you have friends or family who still drive under the influence, speak to them before they get into trouble with the law.

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