Seven killed on Western Cape roads this weekend | Western Cape Government

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Seven killed on Western Cape roads this weekend

9 October 2017

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

A total of 24 motorists were arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.

  • Six motorists were arrested in the George service area,
  • four in Vredenburg,
  • three in Swellendam,
  • three in Mossel Bay,
  • two in Worcester,
  • two in Caledon,
  • two in Somerset West,
  • one in Knysna, and
  • one in Oudtshoorn.

In addition, traffic officers arrested three people:

  • One for false documentation in Vredendal;
  • One for excessive speed in Laingsburg; and
  • One for threatening an official in Swellendam.

Breath testing was performed on 2 096 drivers at 26 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Caledon service area. At 1,10 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is over four times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

A total of 479 speeding offences were recorded and 251 fines in the total amount of R341 000 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.

Highest speeds

  • 168 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the Brackenfell service area, and
  • 138 km/h in a 100 km/h zone in the Swellendam service area.

Details of road fatalities

Date Location of crash Fatalities
Friday, 6 October 2017 N2 Grabouw 1 driver
Friday, 6 October 2017 N1 Leeu Gamka 1 driver
Sunday, 8 October 2017 M19 Melkbos 1 pedestrian
Sunday, 8 October 2017 N2 Borcherds Quarry Rd 1 pedestrian
Sunday, 8 October 2017 N1 Durban Rd 2 passengers
Sunday, 8 October 2017 Between R304 and R312, Durbanville/ Wellington 1 passenger

 

During October, the Department of Transport and Public Works will be focusing on child road safety including road safety talks at schools, seatbelt compliance, learner transport operations, and scholar patrol audits and training. Comprehensive road safety education for children requires the involvement of traffic officers, parents, teachers and other adults in a community. Together, we can set a good example for children by consistently adhering to the rules of the road.

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

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

Jacques Mostert
Provincial Traffic Spokesperson
Department of Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 7897
Cell: 082 820 0621
Email: Jacques.Mostert2@westerncape.gov.za