19 Drunk drivers arrested at weekend traffic operations

According to a preliminary report from Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services, four fatalities were recorded on Western Cape roads this past weekend. Of the four fatalities, two were passengers, one was a driver, and the other was a pedestrian.

Over the weekend, Provincial Traffic Services conducted a total of 26 alcohol blitz operations and stopped a total of 2650 vehicles. Provincial traffic officers arrested 19 motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on the 10th  and 11th of March 2017. 

The highest breath alcohol reading of 1.11 mg/ 1000 ml was recorded in the Beaufort West service area. This was four times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

Seven other persons were arrested for various transgressions including:

• One for having fraudulent licence disc in Brakenfell;
• One driver arrested for overloaded goods in Swellendam;
• Two drivers arrested for reckless and negligent driving as well as being in possession of false documentation in George;
• Another driver arrested for reckless and negligent driving in Oudtshoorn;
• An excessive speeding arrest for the driver who drove at 162km/h in a 120km/h zone in Vredenburg;
• Another arrest in Worcester for having false documentation.

A total of 216 vehicles were screened for speeding, resulting in 128 speeding offences were recorded, with 259 fines issued for various violations amounting to R366 650. 

The highest speeds recorded were:

• 162 km/h in a 120 km/h zone on the Vredenburg service area.
• 150 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the N1 in the Laingsburg service area
• 107 km/h in a 80 km/h zone on the N2 in the Somerset West and Knysna service area.
• 101 km/h in a 60 km/h zone on the N2 in the Oudtshoorn service area.

We continue to, through our Safely Home initiative, run various awareness campaigns around the very serious dangers of reckless and negligent road use. Acting responsibly on the road, and with care and consideration for others, increases safety and decreases the risk of injury. It is important that we all change our behaviour positively so as to save more and more lives.

The Safely Home theme for the month if March is “Personal Responsibility”, highlighting what each person can do to make our roads safer.

Join Safely Home on Twitter @WCGovSafelyHome under the hashtag #BeTheChange to learn more about the campaign and share your thoughts on making our roads safer.