Week of carnage on Western Cape roads costs 21 lives and R234,6 million | Western Cape Government

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Week of carnage on Western Cape roads costs 21 lives and R234,6 million

1 March 2018

Weekly road safety report: 21 – 27 February 2018

Week of carnage on Western Cape roads costs 21 lives and R234,6 million[1]

Forensic Pathology Services data indicates 21 people were killed in the week of 21 to 27 February, three of whom succumbed in hospital to injuries from the previous week. Nearly half of these fatalities were passengers (9) and another eight were pedestrians.

“Already this year we have seen 218 people killed on our roads, representing an estimated cost to the provincial economy of R2,4 billion,”[2] said Farrel Payne, Director: Provincial Traffic Law Enforcement.

“Western Cape road users are still pointing the finger of blame at everyone but themselves, without considering how their own individual behaviour can impact road safety. We urge everyone to be the change they want to see on our roads,” he added

Last year, traffic crashes killed 1 319 people and cost the Western Cape economy approximately R9,15 billion.[3] The 21 lives lost this week represents an estimated blow to the provincial economy of R234,6 million.[4]

Details of this week’s road deaths:

Wednesday 21 February

  • 1 pedestrian was knocked down and killed in the Metro Region.
  • 1 passenger was killed in the West Coast Region.
  • 1 passenger were killed in the Winelands/ Overberg Region.
  • 2 people – 1 passenger and 1 driver – were killed in the Winelands/ Overberg Region.

Thursday 22 February

  • 2 pedestrians were knocked down and killed in separate incidents in the Metro Region.

Friday 23 February

  • 1 pedestrian was knocked down and killed in the West Coast Region.
  • 1 passenger was killed in the Winelands/ Overberg Region.
  • 2 pedestrians were knocked down and killed in separate incidents in the Winelands/ Overberg Region.

Saturday 24 February

  • 4 people – 1 driver and 3 passengers – were killed in the Metro Region.
  • 2 pedestrians were knocked down and killed in separate incidents in the Winelands/ Overberg Region.

Sunday 25 February

  • 1 pedestrian was knocked down and killed in the Metro Region.

Monday 26 February

  • 1 driver was killed in the Winelands/ Overberg Region.
  • 1 pedestrian was knocked down and killed in the Winelands/ Overberg Region.
  • 5 passengers were killed in the Metro Region.
  • 2 pedestrians were killed in the Metro Region.

Tuesday 27 February

  • 1 pedestrian was knocked down and killed in the Winelands/ Overberg Region.

It’s up to you to make the difference. #BeTheChange you want to see on our roads. For more information see safelyhome.westerncape.gov.za and on Facebook and Twitter @WCGovSafelyHome.

Additional statistics for the week of 21 to 27 February

  • Provincial Traffic Services held 33 alcohol blitz roadblocks and Random Breath Testing operations.
  • A total of 7 943 drivers were screened for (being under suspicion of) driving under the influence of alcohol, and 35 were arrested.
  • The highest breath alcohol reading recorded was 1,4 mg/ 1 000 ml of breath in the Beaufort West service area – over 5 times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.
  • A total of 2 515 fines in the amount of R3 567 250 were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver violations to vehicle fitness offences.
  • Provincial Traffic Services recorded 1 070 speeding offences. The highest speeds recorded were:
    • 180 km/h in a 120 km/h zone on the N1 in the Brackenfell service area.
    • 144 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the N2 in the Mossel Bay service area.
    • 118 km/h in an 80 km/h zone on the N7 in the Vredendal service area.
    • 137 km/h in a 70 km/h zone on the N2 in the Knysna service area.
    • 90 km/h in a 60 km/h zone in the Knysna service area.
  • Provincial Traffic Services made 11 other arrests:
    • 4 drivers were arrested for false documentation – in the Caledon, Laingsburg, Swellendam and Brackenfell service areas.
    • 1 driver was arrested for reckless and negligent driving in the Worcester service area.
    • 1 driver was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless and negligent driving, and also charged for excessive speeding – 137 km/h in a 70 km/h on the N2 in the Knysna service area.
    • 1 driver was arrested for goods overloading on the N2 in the Swellendam service area.
    • 1 driver was arrested for possession of dagga in the Mossel Bay service area.
    • 1 driver was arrested for bribery in the Laingsburg service area.
    • 1 driver was arrested for an illegal number plate and licence disc in the Brackenfell service area.
    • 1 driver was arrested for a stolen vehicle in the Beaufort West service area.

[1] Estimate using the injury cost calculation methodology described in D Roux & F Labuschagne. (2016). Cost of crashes in South Africa. Prepared for the Road Traffic Management Corporation by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

[1] Ibid.

[1] Ibid.

[1] Ibid.

Traffic information enquiries
Tel:
021 946 1646
Email: goodwood.tmc@wc.weighbridge.co.za

Media Enquiries: 

Siphesihle Dube
Spokesperson for the Minister of Transport and Public Works, Donald Grant
Cell: 084 233 3811
Tel: 021 483 8954
Fax: 021 483 2217
E-mail: Siphesihle.Dube@westerncape.gov.za