Eight people killed on Western Cape roads this weekend

A preliminary report from Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services indicates that eight people died on the province’s roads over the weekend.

A total of 15 motorists were arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.

• Three motorists were arrested in the George service area, 
• three in Swellendam, 
• two in Somerset West,
• two in Caledon, 
• two in Mossel Bay, 
• one in Knysna,
• one in Vredendal, and
• one in Brackenfell.

In addition, traffic officers arrested seven people:

• Two for overloading – one in the N2 Swellendam service area, and one in the Vredenburg service area.
• Two for driving at excessive speed - one in the N1 Beaufort West service area for driving 161km/h in a 120km/h zone, and another in the R27 Vredenburg service area for driving 125km/h in an 80km/h zone.
• One for false documentation in the Oudtshoorn service area.
• One for being in possession of dagga in the N2 Mossel Bay area.
• One pedestrian for walking under the influence of alcohol in the N7 Vredenburg service area.

Breath testing was performed on 2 378 drivers at 23 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the George service area. At 1,47 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is over six times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

A total of 156 speeding offences were recorded and 325 fines in the total amount of R459 200 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.

Highest speeds

• 161 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the N1 Beaufort West service area, 
• 135 km/h in a 100 km/h zone in the N2 Mossel Bay service area,
• 125 km/h in an 80km/h zone on the R27 in the Vredenburg service area, and
• 91km/h in a 60km/h zone in the N2 Knysna service area.

Details of the eight road fatalities

Child pedestrians are far more likely to be killed in crashes. This is because they are generally shorter than adults and are more likely to be struck in the head or chest. They are also generally more difficult to see. You can make the roads safer simply by setting a good example of safe pedestrian behaviour, at all times, wherever you are. As a driver, you can help keep pedestrians safe by never speeding, and by making a deliberate point of slowing down whenever you notice people walking.

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