Five fatalities on Western Cape roads

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

Provincial traffic officers arrested 18 motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on 10 and 11 February 2017. Four were arrested in the Somerset West service area; four in Swellendam; three in Worcester; two in Brackenfell; two in Caledon; one in George; one in Mossel Bay; and one in Oudtshoorn.

Breath testing was performed on 2 094 drivers at 26 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Swellendam service area. At 1,39 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is more than five times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

Four other persons were arrested:

• One for false documentation in Vredenburg;
• One for excessive speed in Worcester;
• One for fraud in Worcester; and
• One for overloading in Vredendal.

A total of 458 speeding offences were recorded. Fines in the amount of R346 650 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.

The highest speeds recorded in each traffic service area were: 166 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the Brackenfell service area; 144 km/h in a 100 km/h zone in the Beaufort West service area; and 108 km/h in an 80 km/h zone in the Vredendal service area.

Details of road fatalities

We want the public to assist us to create safer roads. The fewer incidents on our roads, the more quickly our response agencies can attend to emergencies. We can’t ensure road safety alone. All of us have a role to play.

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