Results of Provincial Traffic Services traffic operations, 1 to 31 December 2019

Results of Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services traffic operations, 1 to 31 December 2019

Media Release by Bonginkosi Madikizela, Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works

Preliminary statistics for the period 1 to 31 December 2019 indicate that the Western Cape has recorded a welcome decrease in the number of fatalities, with a total of 111 deaths, compared to 167 in December 2018.

Of these, 71 deaths were on municipal roads and 40 on provincial roads. This represented a decrease of 56 road fatalities compared to the figures for the period 1 to 31 December 2018.

While every death is one too many, this represents a significant year-on-year improvement during one of the busiest times of the year. The number of deaths on roads managed by Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services declined from 95 in December 2018 to 40 in December 2019.

Key contributors to this improvement include more effective driver fatigue management control, operations to stop driving under the influence, control of reckless and negligent driving, and speed enforcement operations. The use of eNFORCE handheld smart technology at these operations promotes traffic officer efficacy.

Provincial Traffic Services will continue with 24/7 operations on provincial roads all year to safeguard the lives of innocent road users, but we cannot do it alone. I want to thank every motorist who has helped keep our roads safer by diligent seatbelt use, keeping to the speed limit, and not driving under the influence.

During December 2019, 550 alcohol blitz/ random breath testing roadblocks took place. Random breath testing can be done anywhere at any time of the day. Provincial Traffic Services stopped 140 608 vehicles for various reasons, screened 48 288 drivers for alcohol, and arrested 358 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol. The small proportion of arrests for driving over the legal limit shows that our “don’t drink and drive” message is being taken seriously. The highest breath alcohol reading was 1.85 mg/1 000 ml of breath in the Mossel Bay service area, 7 times over the legal limit of 0.24 mg.

Provincial Traffic Services arrested 26 motorists in the month of December for attempting to bribe an officer. In a recent case, a motorist found guilty of trying to bribe an officer was sentenced to a fine of R20 000 or 24 months’ imprisonment suspended for 5 years. Actions such as these are important indicators of the integrity of DTPW’s provincial traffic officers.

Fatigue management remains a major concern. Public transport drivers and relevant details were logged using eNFORCE handheld devices during December. The system's application which runs in the background, alerts traffic officers when specific operators have been driving for a long period so that they can be pulled over and checked for fatigue.

To help combat fatigue, my department established a safe place to stop on the N1 at Rietfontein between 14 and 22 December. This location was chosen as a good place for motorists who have been driving for 2 hours or 200 km to stop and rest.

Traffic exodus operations were in place during the period 13 to 22 December at four key locations across the province. Provincial Traffic Services stopped and checked a total of 9 858 public transport vehicles to assess driver and vehicle fitness, 3 445 of them at fatigue management operations. A total of 2 640 public transport operators received fines for various offences. A total of 2 250 speeding offences were recorded on provincial roads, and 33 498 fines were issued for various traffic offences ranging from driver to vehicle fitness violations. A total of 150 vehicles were impounded and 713 were discontinued for being un-roadworthy.

On Tuesday 31 December, I attended a roadblock during which a light delivery vehicle was stopped on the N2, direction Somerset West, and found to be carrying diving suits and 684 units of mature abalone and one crayfish tail. The driver was arrested for transportation of abalone and being in possession of abalone without a permit.

The Western Cape Government is committed to making the province a safer place for our residents and visitors through our Safety Plan, which includes a strong focus on road safety. I therefore call on all residents to please put road safety first. Let us all share the road space safely in the interests of every person on the road – drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.

We expect high traffic volumes in the province ahead of the annual return to school and call on everyone to play their part to ensure they reach their destinations safely.

Speeding statistics

The highest speeds recorded in December 2019 were as follows:

• 173 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the Beaufort West service area.
• 187 km/h in a 100km/h zone in the Laingsburg service area.
• 125 km/h in a 80 km/h zone in the Vredendal service area.
• 114 km/h in a 70 km/h zone in the Knysna service area.
• 93 km/h in a 60 km/h zone in the Vredendal service area.

Other arrests

A further 184 arrests were made in December 2019:

• 29 for speeding.
• 55 for reckless and negligent driving.
• 4 for inconsiderate driving.
• 44 for possession of fraudulent documentation.
• 4 for possession of drugs.
• 1 for possession of dagga.
• 1 for possession of abalone.
• 1 for suspected possession of stolen copper.
• 13 drunk pedestrians.
• 1 for operation of an unroadworthy vehicle.
• 1 for suspected possession of an illegally imported vehicle.
• 2 for goods overloading.
• 18 for being an undocumented person.
• 1 for possession of a stolen vehicle.
• 1 for driving without a licence.
• 4 for assaulting an officer.
• 1 for attempted murder.
• 1 for aiding and abetting.
• 1 for failing to stop on the instruction of a traffic officer.
• 1 for possession of illegal ammunition.

Road traffic fatalities, December 2018 (confirmed) and December 2019 (preliminary)