One fatality on Western Cape roads

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

A total of 22 motorists were arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol over the weekend.

• Ten motorists were arrested in the George service area, 
• two in Brackenfell, 
• two in Somerset West, 
• one in Beaufort West, 
• one in Swellendam, 
• one in Knysna, 
• one in Vredenburg, 
• one in Vredendal, 
• one in Caledon, 
• one in Mossel Bay, and
• one in Worcester.

In addition, traffic officers made seven arrests:

• Three for excessive speeding in Beaufort West,
• One for false documentation in Brackenfell,
• One for false documentation in Oudtshoorn,
• One for possession of drugs in Oudtshoorn, and
• One drunken pedestrian in Vredendal.

Breath testing was performed on 1 407 drivers at 24 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the George service area. At 1,93 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is over eight times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

A total of 80 speeding offences were recorded and 220 fines in the total amount of R250 550 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.

The highest speeds recorded were: 174 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the Beaufort West service area, and 113 km/h in a 100 km/h zone in the Worcester service area. 

Details of road fatalities

Speeding plays a causal and aggravating role in many fatal crashes on Western Cape roads. We encourage motorists to slow down. This will greatly reduce the likelihood of a horrific crash that could results in serious injuries or death. We will continue to address speeding through awareness campaigns, enforcement activities, and the Average Speed Over Distance (ASOD) camera enforcement network.

Join Safely Home on Twitter @WCGovSafelyHome under the hashtag #SpeedKillsFacts.