Results of Safely Home Weekend Traffic Operations

Media Statement by Dan Plato, Minister of Community Safety

Integrated Safely Home roadblocks across the Western Cape this weekend saw a total of 2 909 vehicles stopped and 1 201 drivers screened for being under suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, resulting in 18 arrests.

The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in Vredenburg at 1.89 mg/1 000 ml, which is 7.8 times over the legal limit of 0.24 mg/1 000 ml.

A total of 2 078 speeding offences were recorded and a total of 313 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness.

The highest speed of 198 km/h in a 120 km/h zone was recorded on the N1 near Paarl.

I am happy to report that no fatalities were recorded on Western Cape roads.

Friday the 14th marked the last day of class for Matrics in the province and our traffic officers were on high alert this weekend to ensure that the celebrations do not affect safety on our roads. Their efforts remain focused on drunk driving, unlicensed drivers and unroadworthy vehicles.

I urge our matrics, who now find themselves home during the day, to act responsibly and not put their own lives and the lives of others at risk. I also call on parents to be watchful and to not allow unlicensed or intoxicated youngsters to drive.

We must all play our part to ensure that road users get safely home and we will act against those who disregard the rules of the road.