Creating Safer, Booze-Free Roads in the Western Cape | Western Cape Government

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Creating Safer, Booze-Free Roads in the Western Cape

15 December 2015

Provincial Traffic Services are working around the clock to create safer, booze-free roads in the Western Cape.

Since the beginning of December 2015, traffic officers stopped a total of 71 299 vehicles in roadblocks across the province. Alcohol breath-testing was performed on 9 561 motorists and 66 were arrested for being over the limit. Somerset West traffic arrested the most drunken drivers (24). The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in Somerset West. At 1,16 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 29 744 vehicles were tested for overloading at the Department’s weighbridges, and 14 were impounded, six of them in the George service area. A total of 74 vehicles were suspended from using the road until they have been certified as roadworthy and owners have renewed their vehicle licences. The largest number of suspended vehicles (32) were recorded in the Somerset West service area.

A total of 28 835 vehicles were screened for speeding and 2 929 speeding offences were recorded. One driver was arrested for excessive speed in the Vredenburg service area (111 km/h in a 60 km/h zone). The highest speeds were recorded on the N1 in the Brackenfell service area (176 km/h in a 120 km/h zone) and on the N2 in the Swellendam service area (171 km/h in a 100 km/h zone). These drivers face a heavy fine and will appear in court soon.

Another 37 arrests were made, nine of them in the George service area in connection with false documentation, alleged bribery and minibus taxi/ public transport permit-related offences. The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.

Breakdown of fines issued for various traffic violations

TRAFFIC CENTRE

DRIVER-RELATED OFFENCES AND FINES (SAFETY BELT OFFENCES, OVERLOADING, UNVALID DOCUMENTATION AND ILLEGAL USE OF CELLPHONE)

VEHICLE-RELATED OFFENCES AND FINES (VEHICLE LICENCE, BRAKES, LIGHTS, TYRES, NUMBER PLATES)

 Somerset West

 987 totalling R1,01 million

 248 totalling R129 300

 Vredenburg

 125 totalling R170 175

 60 totalling R24 800

 Vredendal

 357 totalling R338 455

 283 totalling R136 200

 Worcester

 727 totalling R741 200

 2014 totalling R101 000

 Swellendam

 482 totalling R443 000

 315 totalling R172 850

 Mossel Bay

 379 totalling R315 400

 169 totalling R89 800

 Oudtshoorn

 60 totalling R52 950

 29 totalling R12 600

 Beaufort West

 718 totalling R829 000

 641 totalling R242 300

 Caledon

 311 totalling R319 600

 242 totalling R130 700

 Knysna

 195 totalling R181 000

 133 totalling R62 900

 George

 300 totalling R323 950

 170 totalling R75 300

 Brackenfell

 1 066 totalling R1,16 million

 269 totalling R114 000

 Laingsburg

 447 totalling R532 900

 300 totalling R160 900


Help us to create booze-free roads. The simple fact is that alcohol and roads don’t mix. Whether you are driving, walking, or riding a motorbike or bicycle, even small amounts of alcohol can impair your ability to make decisions, operate a vehicle, or walk safely near traffic. If you have friends or family who still drive under the influence, speak to them before they get into trouble with the law.

Media Enquiries: 
Byron la Hoe
Communication Officer
Department of Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 9813
Cell: 079 281 8570
Email: byron.lahoe@westerncape.gov.za
 

You can follow the Department of Transport and Public Works on Twitter: @WCGovTPW