Provincial Traffic Services traffic operations: 22 - 28 February 2021

Results of Provincial Traffic Services traffic operations: 22 - 28 February 2021

Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services implemented a total of 227 integrated roadblocks, vehicle checkpoint and speed control operations across the province in the week of 22 to 28 February 2021, and 21 931 vehicles were stopped and checked.

A total of 246 speeding offences were recorded and 5 636 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness in the total amount of R5 283 033.

Forty-eight vehicles were impounded and 111 were discontinued for unroadworthiness.

The highest speeds recorded were as follows:

• 165 km/h in a 120 km/h zone
• 144 km/h in a 100 km/h zone
• 124 km/h in an 80 km/h zone
• 104 km/h in a 70 km/h zone
• 94 km/h in a 60 km/h zone

Disaster Management Act

A total of 17 charges were laid under the Disaster Management Act and fines to the total value of R31 000 were issued. 

National Road Traffic Act and Criminal Procedure Act

A total of 74 arrests were made for the following offences:

• 27 x driving under the influence of alcohol
• 7 x fraudulent documentation
• 1 x speeding
• 8 x reckless and negligent driving
• 4 x goods overloading
• 11 x undocumented persons
• 1 x transportation of undocumented persons
• 1 x defeating the ends of justice
• 1 x illegal possession of abalone
• 1 x transportation of dangerous goods
• 1 x crimen injuria
• 1 x operating an unroadworthy vehicle
• 3 x attempted murder
• 1 x possession of protected plant species
• 4 x intimidation
• 1 x racist behaviour
• 1 x public violence

Fatalities recorded between 22 to 28 February 2021

A total of 20 crashes occurred in the reporting period, and 22 fatalities were recorded:

• 5 x drivers 
• 3 x passengers
• 9 x pedestrians
• 2 x fell off a vehicle
• 1 x motorcycle pillion
• 2 motorcyclists

A road safety message from the Department of Transport and Public Works

In March, and every other month of the year, traffic and road safety officers of the Department of Transport and Public Works will be hard at work making our roads safer. But road safety is everyone’s responsibility. Whether we use the road as drivers, passengers, cyclists, motorcyclists or pedestrians, every one of us should take personal responsibility for our behaviour as road users. Let us all strive to #BeTheChange we want to see on Western Cape roads.

Forty-eight vehicles were impounded this week and 111 were discontinued for unroadworthiness. These dramatic increases are a result of joint public transport operations between Provincial Traffic Services and other roleplayers in the Southern Cape and Cape Winelands District over the weekend. The operations focused on public transport compliance in respect of the National Land Transport Act and the National Road Traffic Act regulations, as well as the growing concerns related to taxi violence and illegal operators.

“Round-the-clock traffic law enforcement efforts and safety campaign activities will continue across the province. We appeal to all road users to be considerate and comply with the law,” said Vigie Chetty, Director: Traffic Law Enforcement. “How we behave on the roads affects our own safety, and the safety of every other person on the road,” she added.

Twenty-seven motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol this week. Even small amounts of alcohol can affect your judgement as a driver or a pedestrian. Take personal responsibility and do not drive or cycle when you have been drinking. Make other arrangements to get home. If you are stopped by a law enforcement officer and the officer suspects that you are over the legal limit, you will be arrested. If you are convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol, you will have a criminal record.

Take personal responsibility for your own safety when you walk near a road. Don’t drink and walk. Don’t wear headphones or earphones when you cross a road. Only crossroads where it is safe to do so. Wear visible clothing, especially at night. Motorists can only avoid you if they can see you.

If you are tired, pull over and rest. On a long journey, plan to take rest breaks in safe places every 200 km or two hours. Take personal responsibility for your own safety and the safety of others by never driving when you are tired. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted when you are driving or walking. No phone call or message is so important that it is worth risking your life, or the lives of others.

If you drive a public transport vehicle, be extra careful. Take personal responsibility for ensuring the safety of your passengers. Make sure your vehicle is roadworthy and that your operating licence is in order. Adhere to all the applicable COVID-19 safety restrictions. Ensure that you and all occupants are wearing a mask over their noses and mouths, and sanitising regularly.

Observe passenger limits – 100% of licensed carrying capacity for journeys shorter than 200 km, and 70% of carrying capacity for journeys of more than 200 km. Make sure the windows are at least 5 cm open on both sides of your vehicle at all times. DTPW uses electronic systems to monitor public transport vehicles, drivers, and trips. The details of operating licences are available to traffic officers in real-time. Tired drivers will be pulled off and made to rest before they resume their onward journeys.

Never speed. Speeding drivers risk the lives of the people in their vehicles, and the lives of others. Take personal responsibility and drive at a safe speed at all times. It’s the only way that you will be able to react to emergencies in time.

A total of 22 people were killed in 20 road crashes, nine of them pedestrians. Eleven undocumented persons were arrested this week, 8 people for reckless and negligent driving, 7 for fraudulent documentation, 4 for goods overloading, 4 for intimidation, 3 for attempted murder, 1 for speeding, 1 for transporting undocumented persons, 1 for defeating the ends of justice, 1 for illegal possession of abalone, 1 for transportation of dangerous goods, 1 for crimen injuria, 1 for operating an unroadworthy vehicle, 1 for possession of protected plant species, 1 for racist behaviour, and 1 for public violence.

It’s up to you to make the difference. #BeTheChange you want to see on our roads.

For more information see https://safelyhome.westerncape.gov.za and find us on Facebook and Twitter @WCGovSafelyHome.