Eighteen people killed on Western Cape roads over the weekend | Western Cape Government

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Eighteen people killed on Western Cape roads over the weekend

4 April 2016

Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services arrested 23 motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on 1 and 2 April 2016. Eighteen people died in road crashes over the weekend.

Three other arrests were made:

  • one for possession of drugs on the N2 in Somerset West,
  • one for overloading on the N1 in Worcester, and
  • one for being in possession of an allegedly stolen vehicle on the N2 in Swellendam.

Breath testing was performed on 1 662 drivers at 26 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Somerset West service area. At 0.98 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is more than four times the legal limit of 0.24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

A total of 4 953 vehicles were screened for speeding and 326 speeding offences were recorded. The highest speed recorded was 188 km/h in a 120 km/h zone on the N1 in the Brackenfell service area.

A total of 258 fines in the amount of R324 300 were issued for various traffic law infringements, including driver and vehicle fitness violations.

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,
  • by not using a cell phone while driving,
  • driving carefully and considerately, and
  • always remaining within the speed limit.

The Department is currently unable to provide a detailed breakdown of weekend road crash fatalities.

Follow Safely Home on Twitter @WCGovSafelyHome under the hashtag #BeTheChange

Media Enquiries: 

Kenny Africa
Provincial Traffic Chief
Department of Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 5114/ 7823
Cell: 084 562 4574
Email: Kenneth.Africa@westerncape.gov.za

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