Results of Provincial Traffic Services traffic operations

I joined Provincial Traffic Officers during one of the province’s integrated roadblocks in Beaufort West on Sunday. This is one of the busiest long-distance intersections in the country.

I want to send a stern warning to all drivers who are speeding, drivers who are driving under the influence of alcohol and those who are not complying with the rules of the road.

As the festive season is approaching, we are doubling our efforts to ensure our roads are safe for all road-users. There will be consequences for those who do not obey the rules of the road.

We should all abide by all the rules, be considerate and keep ourselves and others safe. Whether we drive, cycle or walk we are all road users.

Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services implemented a total of 53 integrated roadblock, vehicle check point and speed control operations across the province in the week of 9 to 15 Nov 2020, and 23 875 vehicles were stopped and checked.

A total of 232 speeding offences were recorded and 3 171 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness in the total amount of R2 773 450.

Twenty-eight vehicles were impounded and 86 were discontinued for unroadworthiness.

The highest speeds recorded were as follows:

• 159 km/h in a 120 km/h zone
• 144 km/h in a 100 km/h zone
• 126 km/h in a 80 km/h zone
• 98 km/h in a 60 km/h zone

Disaster Management Act

A total of 12 charges were laid under the Disaster Management Act and fines to the total value of R36 000 were issued. 

National Road Traffic Act and Criminal Procedure Act

A total of 30 arrests were made for the following offences:

• 15 x driving under the influence of alcohol
• 3 x fraudulent documentation
• 5 x reckless and negligent driving
• 2 x goods overloading
• 1 x possession of dagga
• 1 x attempted murder
• 1 x failing to stop
• 1 x failing to furnish information
• 1 x defeating the ends of justice

Fatalities recorded between 09 till 15 Nov 2020

A total of 24 crashes occurred in the reporting period, and 25 fatalities were recorded:

• 4 x driver 
• 1 x motorcyclist
• 3 x passenger
• 13 x pedestrian
• 4 x cyclist

A total of 15 people were arrested this week for driving under the influence of alcohol. My message is clear: do not drink and drive, even small amounts of alcohol can affect your judgement. If you are convicted of being over the legal limit, you will have a criminal record.

Five people were arrested for reckless and negligent driving and there were 24 crashes in which 25 people were killed, 15 of them pedestrians. Stick to the speed limit, always wear a seatbelt and make sure everyone in your vehicle is buckled up. Be considerate to other road users and slow down near pedestrians. You should also remember to keep a safe following distance – at least two seconds between you and the vehicle in front of you.

If you are a pedestrian do not drink and walk near traffic. Wear visible or reflective clothing and remove headphones and earphones before you cross the road so that you can hear oncoming traffic.

Harsh braking and changing lanes unsafely heighten the risk of a crash, so make sure you pull into traffic slowly. Be careful when you approach an intersection, even if the light is green for you. Lastly, plan rest breaks when you drive long distances as fatigue can put your life and the lives of others in danger.

Twenty-eight vehicles were impounded and 86 were discontinued for being unroadwoarthy this week. It is important that you make sure your vehicle is roadworthy before you leave home.

There were also three arrests for fraudulent documentation Drivers must make sure your documentation is in order and up to date. If you are convicted of fraud, you will have a criminal record.

Overall, I was happy with the level of compliance with mask wearing in public transport is concerned. It is important that we keep ourselves and others safe, so that we can keep on moving forward.

Let’s all play our part in making our roads safe for all road users.