Report on weekend provincial traffic law enforcement operations
A preliminary report from Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services indicates that six road users died on the province’s roads over the weekend.
Provincial traffic officers arrested 19 motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on 4 and 5 November 2016. Seven were arrested in the Worcester service area; three in Mossel Bay; two in Caledon; two in Swellendam; two in Beaufort West; one in Laingsburg; one in Somerset West; and one in George.
Breath testing was performed on 1 827 drivers at 25 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Somerset West service area. At 1,08 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is over four times over the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.
Two other arrests were made: one in connection with false documentation in Vredenburg; and one in possession of abalone in Somerset West.
A total of 2 624 vehicles were screened for speeding and 437 speeding offences were recorded. Fines in the amount of R250 850 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.
The highest speeds recorded were 188 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the Brackenfell service area; 139 km/h in a 100 km/h zone in the Swellendam service area; and 117 km in an 80 km/h zone in the Knysna service area.
Details of road fatalities
Date |
Location of crash |
Fatalities |
Friday, 4 November 2016 |
Caledon |
1 driver |
Friday, 4 November 2016 |
Belhar |
1 pedestrian |
Saturday, 5 November 2016 |
Somerset West |
1 passenger |
Saturday, 5 November 2016 |
Montagu |
1 driver |
Saturday, 5 November 2016 |
Bredasdorp |
1 motorcyclist |
Sunday, 6 November 2016 |
Beaufort West |
1 driver |
Child pedestrians are far more likely to be killed in crashes. Because they are generally shorter than adults, they are more likely to be struck in the head or chest. They are also generally more difficult to see. You can make the roads safer simply by setting a good example of safe pedestrian behaviour, at all times, wherever you are. As a driver, you can help keep pedestrians safe by never speeding, and by making a deliberate point of slowing down whenever you notice people walking.
Follow Safely Home on Twitter @WCGovSafelyHome under the hashtag #WalkSafe
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