Four fatalities on Western Cape roads

A preliminary report from the Western Cape Department of Health’s Forensic Pathology Services indicates that four road users died on the province’s roads over the weekend.

Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services arrested 18 motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on 10 and 11 June 2016. Two other arrests were made: one for reckless and negligent driving in Mossel Bay and one for excessive speed in Vredenburg (174 km/h in a 120 km/h zone).

Breath testing was performed on 1 374 drivers at 23 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Somerset West service area. At 0,93 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is three times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

A total of 6 146 vehicles were screened for speeding and 703 speeding offences were recorded. Fines in the amount of R248 050 were issued for a variety of reasons ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.

The highest speeds recorded were 174 km/h in a 120 km/h zone on the R27 in the Vredenburg service area; 119 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the N2 in the Caledon service area; 108 km/h in an 80 km/h zone on the N1 in the Worcester service area; and 71km/h in a 60 km/h on the R62 in the Oudtshoorn service area.

Details of the road fatalities over the weekend follow:

Shorter, darker days, fog and rain during the Western Cape winter months hamper visibility and can increase the risk of a road traffic crash. Don't miss out on your future because you didn't see another road user, or weren't seen yourself. Travel more slowly when visibility is poor and the roads are wet. Wear visible clothing when you walk next to a road. If you are not seen on the road, you may not see your future.

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