Six killed on Western Cape roads

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

A total of 28 motorists were arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.

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

In addition, traffic officers arrested five people:

• One for reckless and negligent driving in Knysna;
• One for possession of dagga in Swellendam;
• One for overloading in Brackenfell;
• One for excessive speeding on the N1 in the Beaufort West service area; and
• One for false documentation in Caledon.

Breath testing was performed on 1 780 drivers at 27 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Vredendal service area. At 1,30 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 167 speeding offences were recorded and 245 fines in the total amount of R365 860 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.

Highest speeds

• 169 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the Beaufort West service area, and
• 144 km/h in a 100 km/h zone in the Swellendam service area.

Details of road fatalities

During October, the Department of Transport and Public Works will be focusing on child road safety including road safety talks at schools, seatbelt compliance, learner transport operations, and scholar patrol audits and training. Comprehensive road safety education for children requires the involvement of traffic officers, parents, teachers and other adults in a community. Together, we can set a good example for children by consistently adhering to the rules of the road.

Join Safely Home on Twitter @WCGovSafelyHome under the hashtag #SaveKidsLives