13 fatalities on Western Cape roads

Report on weekend provincial traffic law enforcement operations

A preliminary report from Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services indicates that 13 road users died on the province’s roads over the weekend.

Provincial traffic officers arrested 35 motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on 16 and 17 December 2016. Eight were arrested in the Somerset West service area; seven in Worcester; five in George; four in Caledon; four in Knysna; three in Brackenfell; two in Oudtshoon; one in Vredenburg; and one in Mossel Bay.

Breath testing was performed on 2 079 drivers at 25 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Swellendam service area. At 1,27 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is over five times over the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

Ten other persons were arrested: two drunk pedestrians in Vredendal; two for reckless and negligent driving in Beaufort West; two for reckless and negligent driving in George; two for bribery in Worcester; one drunken pedestrian in Oudtshoorn; and one for excessive speed in Vredenburg.

A total of 9 718 vehicles were screened for speeding and 905 speeding offences were recorded. Fines in the amount of R472 550 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.

The highest speeds recorded were 179 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the Beaufort West service area; 171 km/h in a 100 km/h zone in the George service area; and 107 km in an 80 km/h zone in the Knysna service area.

Details of road fatalities

Help us to create booze-free roads. The simple fact is that alcohol and roads don’t mix. Drivers under the influence put their own lives and those of their passengers in danger, as well as the lives of other road users. By taking the decision not to drink and drive, and sharing your decision with your family and friends, you can influence the behaviour of others in a positive way.

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