Two killed on Western Cape roads this weekend

A preliminary report from Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services indicates that two people died on the province’s roads over the weekend. In the one incident on Saturday, a driver died after losing control of a vehicle in the N1 Klapmuts area, and in the early hours of this morning (24 April), a passenger died in a crash on the N1 between Prince Alfred and Leeu-Gamka.

Provincial traffic officers arrested 12 motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on 21 and 22 April 2017.

• Three were arrested in the Swellendam service area, 
• three in Vredendal, 
• three in George, 
• one in Somerset West, 
• one in Knysna, and
• one in Worcester.

Breath testing was performed on 1 482 drivers at 25 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Vredendal service area. At 0,97 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is over four times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

Four other persons were arrested:

• One for possession of dagga in Vredendal,
• One for drinking and walking in Vredendal,
• One for bribery in George, and
• One for alleged theft in Brackenfell.

A total of 129 speeding offences were recorded. A total of 204 fines in the amount of R248 050 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.

Highest speeds

The highest speeds recorded were:

• 158 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the Beaufort West service area, 
• 106 km/h in a 100 km/h zone in the Somerset West service area, and
• 96 km/h in an 80 km/h zone in the Knysna service area.

Details of road fatalities

We urge residents and visitors of the Western Cape to be the change that they would like to see on our roads. We need to join hands to create safer roads for all. The fewer incidents on our roads, the more quickly our response agencies can attend to other emergencies. We can’t ensure road safety alone. All of us have a role to play.

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