Nine killed on Western Cape roads this weekend

Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services arrested 25 drivers for allegedly being under the influence of alcohol on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 February 2016. Nine people died in road crashes over the weekend.

Breath testing was performed on 1 608 drivers at 25 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Somerset West service area. At 1.47 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is six times the legal limit of 0.24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

A total of 6 744 vehicles were screened for speeding and 701 speeding offences were recorded. The highest speeds recorded was 176 km/h in a 120 km/h zone on the N1 in the Laingsburg service area, 135 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the R362 in the Vredendal area, and 97 km/h in an 80 km/h zone on the N2 in the Somerset West service area. These drivers face a heavy fine.

A total of 260 fines in the amount of R310 600 were issued for various traffic law infringements, including driver and vehicle fitness violations.

Details of weekend road crash fatalities

The Department of Transport and Public Works appeals to motorists to make themselves and others safer by:

• not drinking and driving,
• buckling up in the front and back at all times,
• driving carefully and considerately, and
• always remaining within the speed limit.

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