Media Statement by Dan Plato, Minister of Community Safety
This weekend's 24 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the Western Cape saw a total of 3 258 vehicles stopped as part of the Provincial Government's Safely Home campaign. One-thousand-seven-hundred-and-seventy drivers were screened for being under suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, resulting in 19 arrests. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in Laingsburg at 1.05 mg/1 000 ml, which was four times the legal limit of 0.24 mg/1 000 ml. The highest speeds recorded were on the N1 in Beaufort West area where a driver was caught driving 135 km/h in a 100 km/h zone and on the N2 in Mossel Bay a driver was caught at 191 km/h in a 120 km/h zone.
This weekend unfortunately saw eight fatalities on the Western Cape's roads:
My condolences go out to the families of the victims.
While we have had a safer festive season with a noticeable change in driver behaviour - thanks largely to media awareness campaigns and an ongoing zero-tolerance approach from law enforcement - it is saddening that some individuals insist on getting behind the wheel after they've been drinking. The Safely Home message is clear - if you drink and drive, you're a killer - we have prevented further death on our roads this weekend with 19 arrests. Use a taxi, phone a friend or family member but please, do not get behind the wheel if you've been drinking.
Greg Wagner
Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 072 623 4499