Children and senior pedestrians at risk on Western Cape roads

A preliminary report from Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services (PTS) indicates that nine people died on the province’s roads this week, one of them a pedestrian killed in an alleged hit-and-run on the N7.

PTS also arrested a motorist for travelling at 111 km/ hour in a 60 km zone in Somerset West.

“Pedestrians rarely survive being hit by a vehicle travelling at over 40 km per hour, especially children” said PTS Director Farrell Payne.

“Senior pedestrians are also particularly vulnerable. Our data shows 80 child pedestrians (under 15 years), 56 senior pedestrians (over 60 years) and 24 cyclists were killed on Western Cape roads last year,” he added.

“That’s why it is so important that motorists heed the message to share the road with vulnerable road users.”

Breath testing was performed on 8 753 drivers at 33 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. PTS arrested a total of 46 motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol. These figures exclude arrests made by other law enforcement agencies. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Vredenburg service area. At 1,86 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is over seven times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

During the week a total of 1 464 speeding offences were recorded and 2 534 fines in the total amount of R3 410 100 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver to vehicle fitness violations.

Highest speeds

• 188 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the N1 Beaufort West service area, 
• 149 km/h in a 100 km/h in the N2 Swellendam service area, and
• 127 km/h in an 80 km/h in the Somerset West service area. 

Safety starts with respect and respect starts with you. Please share the road. For more information see safelyhome.westerncape.gov.za and on Facebook and Twitter @WCGovSafelyHome.

Traffic information enquiries
Tel: 021 946 1646 
Email: goodwood.tmc@wc.weighbridge.co.za