Minister Plato: Results of Weekend Alcohol Blitz Roadblocks

Media Statement by Minister of Community Safety, Dan Plato

This weekend's alcohol blitz roadblocks on Western Cape roads saw 694 drivers screened for driving under the influence of alcohol and led to 13 arrests, down from last week's 20.

The highest alcohol reading was recorded in Worcester, at 1.59mg/1000ml. A total of 2 605 vehicles were stopped and 463 spot fines were issued for various traffic violations.

The officers on duty and speeding cameras logged a total of 1 144 speeding offences, down from last weekend's 1 718. In Brackenfell, a driver was recorded at 185km/h in a 120km/h zone. The driver will be arrested shortly. A man was also arrested on Friday on the N1 near the Rawsonville weigh bridge for a speed of 170km/h in a 100km/h zone. He will appear in court tomorrow to face the full force of the law.

Sadly, this weekend was also marked by three fatalities. A four-year-old boy lost his life when a vehicle overturned due to a tyre burst on the N2 between Riviersonderend and Swellendam. A pedestrian was killed on the N2 near Duinefontein Road and the passenger of a taxi was fatally injured in a collision on the N1 near Laingsburg. My condolences go out to the families.

The integrated efforts of Provincial Traffic, SAPS and Municipal Traffic under the banner of the Safely Home campaign are paying off. Not only are those breaking the law being brought to book, but we are also sending the clear message that irresponsible behaviour will not be tolerated and will have consequences.

However, we do not want to see any deaths on our roads. There are too many people risking their own lives and the lives of others, and we must ultimately change the behaviour of road users to take responsibility and to ensure their own safety as well as that of others.

I urge the public to also play their part and to report traffic violations to the 24-hour control room on 021 931 1646.