Results of Safely Home Weekend Traffic Operations

Media Statement by Dan Plato, Minister of Community Safety

Integrated Safely Home operations by Provincial Traffic, Municipal Traffic and SAPS saw 3 968 vehicles stopped this weekend at 24 alcohol blitz roadblocks in the province.

1 925 drivers were screened for being under suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, resulting in 34 arrests.

The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in Vredenburg at 1.27 mg/1 000 ml, which is four times over the legal limit of 0.24 mg/1 000 ml.

2 164 speeding offences were recorded and a total of 457 fines were issued for various traffic violations.

On the N1 near Paarl, the highest speed of 195 km/h in a 120 km/h zone was recorded.

Sadly, five people lost their lives on Western Cape roads this weekend.

On Friday night, four fatalities were recorded on the N7 near Van Rhynsdorp when the tyre of the vehicle the people were travelling in burst and the vehicle overturned. A collision on the R300 near the N2 claimed another life on Sunday.

Far too many people are acting recklessly on our roads with many lives that can and will be saved should the behaviour of these road users change. We can't allow irresponsible drivers to endanger the lives of others and I urge the public to also report traffic violations to the 24-hour control room on 021 812 4581.