Mid-festive season road safety results | Western Cape Government

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Mid-festive season road safety results

24 December 2019

Media release by Bonginkosi Madikizela, Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works

Exodus operation

Our planned phase 1 exodus operations were activated on the 13 December 2019 at four key locations across the province resulting in 2 747 public transport vehicles that were stopped to ensure driver and vehicle fitness. All drivers and vehicle details were logged via the use of our handheld device technology. The upgraded development of our systems application then enabled our traffic officers to closely monitor the driving times of operators so as to address possible fatigue. The nerve centre of our Fatigue Operation was set up on the N1 at Rietfontein as from the 14 – 16 December 2019 which enable any motorist to stop and have a safe break after applying the 2 hour or 200km principle. The second phase of our exodus operation was activated on the 20 – 22 December 2019.

Provincially, 5 127 public transport vehicles were stopped and checked, and 2 155 public transport vehicles were fined amounting to a value of R6 796 000 for the abovementioned period.

We had a total of 424 alcohol blitz/Random Breath Testing roadblocks across the Western Cape, resulting in 98 108 vehicles that were stopped, and 27 925 drivers were screened for alcohol resulting in 237 Driving Under Influence arrests.

The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded at 1.85 mg/l 1000ml in Mossel Bay service area, where the reading was 7 times over the legal limit of 0,24mg/1000ml.

1 521 speeding offences were recorded. 21 720 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness to the amount of R 17 464 800. 00.

109 vehicles were impounded and 504 discontinued for unroadworthiness.

The highest speeds recorded:

  • 173 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the Beaufort West service area
  • 187km/h in a 100km/h zone in the Laingsburg service area
  • 125km/h in a 80 km/h zone in the Vredendal service area
  • 114km/h in a 70 km/h zone in the Knysna service area
  • 93km/h in a 60 km/h zone in the Vredendal service area

Other Arrests: 124

  • 11 x Speed arrest in Laingsburg (3), George (1), Mossel Bay (2), Swellendam (1) and Beaufort West (4) service area
  • 17 x Bribery arrest in the Beaufort West (1), Laingsburg (4), George (1) Worcester (6), Brackenfell (1), Swellendam (2), Knysna (2) service area
  • 22 x Fraudulent documentation arrest in the Laingsburg (9), Beaufort West (3) Worcester (3), Oudtshoorn (2), Caledon (1), Brackenfell (1), Mossel Bay (1), Knysna (1) and Vredenburg (1) service area
  • 37 x Reckless and Negligent Driving arrest in Laingsburg (16), Worcester (5), Beaufort West (4), Knysna (2), Mossel Bay (3), Vredendal (2), Swellendam (2) and Brackenfell (2) and George (1) service area
  • 11 x Undocumented person arrest in the Laingsburg (6) and Beaufort West (5) service area
  • 1 x Dagga arrest to the value of R300 000 in the Vredendal service area
  • 1 x Drug (16.5 kg of tik) arrest unknown street value in the Brackenfell service area
  • 1 x Drug arrest in the Vredenburg service area
  • 1 x Stolen copper arrest in the Worcester service area
  • 11 x Drunk Pedestrian arrest in the Oudtshoorn (9) and Laingsburg (1) and Mossel Bay (1) service area
  • 1 x Operate unroadworthy motor vehicle in the Swellendam service area
  • 2 x Inconsiderate driving arrests in the Laingsburg service area
  • 1 x Illegal imported vehicle arrest in the Somerset West service area
  • 2 x Goods overlaod arrest in the Worcester service area
  • 1 x Stolen vehicle in the Laingsburg service area
  • 1 x No driving license arrest in the Knysna area
  • 3 x Assault of a traffic officer in the Worcester service area

The 86 fatalities were recorded from the 01 – 20 December 2019.

We are still experiencing too many motorists who are being arrested for driving under the influence, and excessive speeding and or reckless and negligent driving thus endangering fellow road users. We will continue with our planned 24/7 operations across our province to ensure that we remove all irresponsible motorists to safeguard the lives of innocent road users.

We are alarmed with motorists who feel that they have the liberty to try to bribe our traffic officials as an easy way out. Through the use of our handheld- eNFORCE technology, our Provincial Traffic officers have arrested 17 motorists since the 1 December 2019, and laid criminal charges at SAPS against these motorists for bribery. We believe that these motorists should receive the same judgement as a recent motorist, who was fined R20 000.00 or 24 months suspended for 5 years for committing this type of crime.

Let us all share the same road space together.

Media Enquiries: 

Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka
Spokesperson for Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela
Tel: 021 483 8067
Cell: 082 953 0026
Email: Ntomboxolo.Makoba-Somdaka@westerncape.gov.za