Two fatalities on Western Cape roads

Two people, including a 6-year-old girl, lost their lives over the weekend, according to a preliminary report from Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services.

A total of 23 motorists were arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol over the weekend.

• Four motorists were arrested in the Mossel Bay service area,
• three in George, 
• three in Swellendam, 
• three in Beaufort Wet, 
• two in Brackenfell, 
• two in Knysna, 
• two in Somerset West;
• two in Caledon;
• one in Vredenburg; and
• one in Worcester.

In addition, traffic officers made five arrests:

• four drunken pedestrians in Vredendal, and
• a person for false documentation in Mossel Bay.

Breath testing was performed on 2 119 drivers at 25 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Swellendam service area. At 1,12 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is almost five times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

A total of 55 speeding offences were recorded and 327 fines in the amount of R415 350 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.

Highest speeds

• 142 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the Beaufort West service area,and
• 148 km/h in a 100 km/h zone in the Mossel Bay service area. 

Details of road fatalities

Drivers under the influence put their own lives and those of their passengers in danger, as well as the lives of other road users. If you’re drinking, don’t drive or walk. Help us create booze-free roads. If you have friends or family who still drive under the influence, speak to them before they get into trouble with the law.

Join Safely Home on Twitter @WCGovSafelyHome under the hashtag #BoozeFreeRoads