Six fatalities on Western Cape roads | Western Cape Government

News

News

Six fatalities on Western Cape roads

2 May 2017

Provincial traffic officers had their hands full keeping our roads safe at various roadblocks across the Western Cape over the long weekend. A total of 59 motorists were arrested for allegedly driving under the influence, more than double the tally in the corresponding period last year. 

Arrest table

Another 11 arrests were made for a variety of offences. A preliminary report from Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services indicates that six people died on the province’s roads. 

Breath testing was performed on 5 045 drivers at 51 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Worcester service area. At 1,35 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is over five times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

Eleven other persons were arrested:

  • One for false documentation in George.
  • One for reckless and negligent driving in Worcester.
  • One for excessive speed in George.
  • One for stolen goods in Oudtshoorn.
  • One for reckless and negligent driving in Swellendam.
  • One for excessive speed in George.
  • One for false documentation in Brackenfell.
  • One for bribery in Oudtshoorn.
  • One for excessive speed in Swellendam.
  • One for excessive speed in Laingsburg.
  • One for false documentation in Swellendam.

A total of 845 speeding offences were recorded. A total of 757 fines in the amount of R607 490 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.

Highest speeds recorded

  • 170 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the George service area (driver arrested), 
  • 180 km/h in a 100 km/h zone in the Oudtshoorn service area, and
  • 123 km/h in an 80 km/h zone in the Knysna service area.

Details of road fatalities

Date Location of crash Fatalities
Thursday, 27 April 2017 Macassar (separate incidents) 2 drivers
Friday, 28 April 2017 Villiersdorp 1 motorcyclist
Saturday, 29 April 2017 Lamberts Bay 1 passenger
Sunday, 30 April 2017 R300 Kuils River 1 driver
1 passenger

 

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.

Media Enquiries: 
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