Four people die on Western Cape roads

Four people lost their lives over the weekend, according to a preliminary report from Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services.

A total of 40 motorists were arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol over the weekend.

• Seven motorists were arrested in the Swellendam service area, 
• six in Swellendam, 
• six in George,
• four in Brackenfell, 
• four in Vredendal, 
• four in Caledon, 
• four in Worcester, 
• two in Mossel Bay, 
• one in Laingsburg, 
• one in Knysna, and
• one in Oudtshoorn.

In addition, traffic officers made 5 arrests:

• Two for excessive speeding in Laingsburg,
• One for excessive speeding in Vredenburg,
• One for reckless and negligent driving in Worcester, and
• One for false documentation in Laingsburg.

Breath testing was performed on 1 653 drivers at 26 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the George service area. At 1,39 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is over five times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

A total of 687 speeding offences were recorded and 202 fines in the total amount of R275 100 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.

Highest speeds

• 171 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the Laingsburg service area, and
• 136 km/h in a 100 km/h zone, also in the Laingsburg service area.

Many motorists are guilty of driving over the speed limit. Where there are cameras, speedsters are photographed and held accountable for their actions. Visible law enforcement helps to keep drivers within the speed limit and reduces the risk of crashes. As this weekend shows, traffic officers of the Department of Transport and Public Works patrol high-risk routes and do not hesitate to stop and arrest drivers suspected of speeding. These officers are saving lives through proactive intervention. See the Department’s #SpeedKillsFacts road safety campaign for more information.

Details of road fatalities

Speeding plays a causal and aggravating role in many fatal crashes on Western Cape roads. We encourage motorists to slow down. This will greatly reduce the likelihood of a horrific crash that could results in serious injuries or death. We will continue to address speeding through awareness campaigns, enforcement activities, and the Average Speed Over Distance (ASOD) camera enforcement network.

Join Safely Home on Twitter @WCGovSafelyHome under the hashtag #SpeedKillsFacts.