Seventeen killed on Western Cape roads this weekend | Western Cape Government

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Seventeen killed on Western Cape roads this weekend

17 October 2016

A preliminary report from Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services indicates that 17 road users died on the province’s roads over the weekend.

Provincial traffic officers arrested 25 motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on 14 and 15 October 2016.

  • Five were arrested in the Caledon service area, 
  • four in George,
  • four in Vredenburg, 
  • three in Swellendam, 
  • two in Beaufort West, 
  • two in Somerset West, 
  • two in Worcester, 
  • one in Brackenfell,
  • one in Laingsburg, and
  • one in Mossel Bay.

Breath testing was performed on 1 537 drivers at 25 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Vredenburg service area. At 1,27 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is five times over the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

In addition, two arrests were made:

  • one for reckless and negligent driving in Caledon, 
  • and one drunken pedestrian arrest in Mossel Bay.

A total of 1 640 vehicles were screened for speeding and 157 speeding offences were recorded. Fines in the amount of R277 900 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.

Highest speeds recorded:

  • 154 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the Brackenfell service area, 
  • 129 km/h in a 100 km/h zone in the Mossel Bay service area, and
  • 110 km in an 80 km/h zone in the Beaufort West service area.

Details of road fatalities

Date Location of crash Fatalities
Saturday, 15 October 2016 Saldanha 1 driver
Sunday, 16 October 2016 Touws River 1 driver
12 passengers
Sunday, 16 October 2016 N2 Caledon 1 driver
1 passenger

During October, the Department of Transport and Public Works will be focusing on child road safety including:

  • road safety talks at schools,
  • seatbelt compliance,
  • learner transport operations, and
  • scholar patrol audits and training.

Comprehensive road safety education for children requires the involvement of traffic officers, parents, teachers and other adults in a community. Together, we can set a good example for children by consistently adhering to the rules of the road.

Follow Safely Home on Twitter @WCGovSafelyHome under the hashtag #SaveKidsLives.

Media Enquiries: 

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

Byron la Hoe
Communication Officer
Department of Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 9813
Cell: 079 281 8570
Email: byron.lahoe@westerncape.gov.za

You can follow the Department of Transport and Public Works on Twitter: @WCGovTPW