Nine killed in road crashes on Western Cape roads over the weekend

Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services arrested 26 drivers for allegedly being under the influence of alcohol on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 February 2016. Nine people died in road crashes over the weekend, and two people were arrested for excessive speed on the N1 in the Laingsburg service area.

Breath testing was performed on 1 631 drivers at 22 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Somerset West service area. At 1.40 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is over five times the legal limit of 0.24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

A total of 76 vehicles were screened for speeding and 76 speeding offences were recorded.

Highest speeds recorded

• 171 km/h in a 120 km/h zone on the N1 in the Laingsburg service area,
• 117 km/h in a 100 km/h zone in the Worcester service area, 96 km/h in an 80 km/h zone in the Worcester service area, and
• 93 km/h in a 70km/h zone in the Knysna service area.

These drivers face a heavy fine.

A total of 155 fines in the amount of R190 300 were issued for various traffic law infringements, including driver and vehicle fitness violations.

Weekend road crash fatalities

The Department of Transport and Public Works appeals to motorists to make themselves and others safer by:

• not drinking and driving,
• buckling up in the front and back at all times,
• driving carefully and considerately, and
• always remaining within the speed limit.

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