Weekly report on Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services operations

Weekly report on Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services operations, 26 November – 2 December 2018

Provincial traffic officers of the Department of Transport and Public Works had their hands full again this past week when they arrested 57 road users, 40 of them for driving under the influence (DUI). The highest breath alcohol reading recorded by provincial officers was 1,28 mg/ 1 000 ml in the Knysna service area, five times the legal limit of 0,24mg/1 000 ml. A driver was arrested for travelling at 150 km/h in a 100 km/h zone in the Swellendam service area.

As we head into the festive season, motorists are reminded that alcohol and roads don’t mix. DUI is a serious risk to drivers, passengers and pedestrians. If you drive under the influence, you face an increased risk of being in a crash in which people can get injured or killed. Remember too that DUI is a serious criminal offence and that a DUI conviction may badly affect you for the rest of your life.

A total of 2 093 speeding offences were recorded, more than double the previous week’s 886. At total of 2 093 fines in the amount of R4 199 650 were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness.

The highest speeds recorded during the week were as follows:

• 166 km/h in a 120 km/h zone on the N1 in the Brackenfell service area.
• 150 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the N2 in the Swellendam service area.
• 137 km/h in a 80 km/h zone on the N7 Vredendal service area.

Details of other arrests:

• 5 drivers were arrested for reckless and negligent driving (1 each in the Mossel Bay, Swellendam, Caledon, Vredenburg and George service areas);
• In addition to the Swellendam arrest for speeding mentioned above, 1 driver was arrested for speeding in the Mossel Bay service area;
• 2 foreign nationals were arrested in the Beaufort West service area for not being in possession of required documentation;
• 2 drivers were arrested for false documentation (1 each in the Brackenfell and George service areas);
• 2 drivers were arrested for being in possession of dagga (1 each in the Swellendam and Brackenfell service areas);
• 1 driver was arrested for bribing a traffic officer in the Laingsburg service area;
• 1 driver was arrested for goods overloading in the Swellendam service area;
• 1 driver was arrested for being in possession of a stolen vehicle in the Laingsburg service area; and
• 1 driver was arrested for failure to comply with a lawful instruction in the Somerset West service area;

Forensic Pathology Services data shows that 25 road users were killed in the Western Cape in the week under review – five drivers, six passengers, one motor cyclist, and 13 pedestrians.

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