Results of Safely Home Weekend Traffic Operations

Media Statement by Dan Plato, Minister of Community Safety

A staggering 4 005 vehicles were stopped this weekend at Safely Home alcohol blitz roadblocks across the Western Cape.

A total of 1 742 drivers were screened for being under suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, resulting in 31 arrests. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in Knysna at 0.99 mg/1 000 ml, which is four times the legal limit of 0.24 mg/1 000 ml.

Approximately 551 speeding offences were recorded and 506 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness.

The highest speed was recorded on the N1 in the Brackenfell area, with the driver recorded at 172 km/h in a 120 km/h zone.

A man was arrested for using a fraudulent driving licence in Somerset West during the weekend alcohol blitz roadblocks.

On Friday evening, a pedestrian lost her life on the N2 near Albertina, in the Southern Cape.

One life lost on our roads is one too many, yet, with 31 drivers busted for driving under the influence this past weekend and hundreds for speeding it is clear that people are still taking risks without considering the consequences.

It is time for all road users to realise the importance of behaving responsibly on our roads and we will continue to act swiftly against those who don't.