Eight people killed on Western Cape roads this weekend | Western Cape Government

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Eight people killed on Western Cape roads this weekend

15 January 2018

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

A total of 18 motorists were arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.

  • Four motorists were arrested in the George service area, 
  • four in the Somerset West service area, 
  • three in the Swellendam service area, 
  • two in the Knysna service area, 
  • two in the Mossel Bay service area, 
  • one in the Brackenfell service area, 
  • one in the Worcester service area, and
  • one in the Vredendal service area.

In addition, traffic officers arrested four people:

  • Two for excessive speed – one in the N2 Swellendam service area; and the other in the N1 Beaufort West service area,
  • One for passenger overloading in the N1 Worcester service area,
  • One for reckless and negligent driving in the N2 George service area.

Breath testing was performed on 2 156 drivers at 27 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Somerset West service area. At 1,24 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 383 speeding offences were recorded and 361 fines in the total amount of R530 750 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver to vehicle fitness violations.

Highest speeds

  • 168 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the Beaufort West service area, 
  • 150 km/h in a 100 km/h zone in the N2 Swellendam service area, and
  • 111 km/h in a 80 km/h zone in the N7 Vredendal service area.

Details of the eight road fatalities

Date Location of crash Fatalities
Friday, 12 January 2018 – 23:45 N1 Leeu Gamka service area 1 pedestrian
Saturday, 13 January 2018 – 05:00 R300 / Hindle Road service area 1 driver
Sunday, 14 January 2018  – 05:45 Berg Street / Harlem service area 2 passengers
Sunday, 14 January 2018  – 16:40 Vanrhyns Pass service area 1 unknown
Monday, 15 January 2018  – 02:30 N1 Leeu Gamka / Beaufort West service area 3 passengers

 

Drivers under the influence put their own lives and those of their passengers in danger, and they endanger the lives of other road users. If you’re drinking, don’t drive or walk. Help us create booze-free roads. If you have friends or family who still drive under the influence, speak to them before they get into trouble with the law.

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

Media Enquiries: 

Farrel Payne
Director: Traffic Law Enforcement
Department of Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 6085
Email: Farrel.Payne@westerncape.gov.za 

or

Jandré Bakker
Head of Communication
Department of Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 8513 | Cell: 083 310 5357
Email: Jandre.Bakker@westerncape.gov.za