One fatality on Western Cape roads | Western Cape Government

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One fatality on Western Cape roads

15 May 2017

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

Provincial traffic officers arrested 23 motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on 12 and 13 May 2017.

  • Six were arrested in the Mossel Bay service area, 
  • four in George, 
  • three in Swellendam, 
  • three in Caledon, 
  • two in Knysna, 
  • one in Brackenfell, 
  • one in Beaufort West, 
  • one in Vredendal, 
  • one in Oudtshoorn, and
  • one in Worcester.

Breath testing was performed on 1 688 drivers at 25 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Mossel Bay service area. At 1,10 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is over four times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

Three other persons were arrested:

  • One for excessive speeding in Vredenburg,
  • One for false documentation in Oudtshoorn, and
  • One for crimen injuria in Mossel Bay.

A total of 149 speeding offences were recorded. A total of 230 fines in the amount of R280 850 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.

Highest speeds recorded

  • 160 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the Vredenburg service area, and
  • 113 km/h in an 80 km/h zone in the Vredenburg service area.

Details of road fatalities

Date Location of crash Fatalities
Saturday, 13 May 2017 N1 Worcester 1 driver

 

This is an appeal from the Department of Transport and Public Works: never use your cell phone while driving. Distracted driving can be fatal. As the United States National Road Safety Council points out, the ability of a person’s brain to process moving images decreases by 33% when he or she is on the phone. Drivers cannot respond quickly to what is happening on the road when they are distracted. This is true even if they are using a hands-free apparatus. Road crashes can result in serious injuries and death. No phone call or text message is so important that it is worth a human life. 

Join Safely Home on Twitter @WCGovSafelyHome under the hashtag #ItCanWait or visit its Facebook page “Safely Home by Western Cape Government”.

Media Enquiries: 

Kenny Africa
Provincial Traffic Chief
Department of Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 5114/ 7823
Cell: 084 562 4574
Email: Kenneth.Africa@westerncape.gov.za

Jacques Mostert
Provincial Traffic Spokesperson
Department of Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 7897
Cell: 082 820 0621
Email: Jacques.Mostert2@westerncape.gov.za