Three killed on Western Cape roads

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

A total of 29 motorists were arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.

• Eight motorists were arrested in the George service area,
• five in Swellendam,
• five in Caledon,
• three in Mossel Bay,
• two in Somerset West,
• two in Oudtshoorn,
• one in Brackenfell,
• one in Beaufort West,
• one in Vredendal, and
• one in Worcester.

In addition, traffic officers arrested seven people:

• Five drunken pedestrians in Vredendal,
• One for false documentation in Beaufort West, and
• One for excessive speed in Swellendam.

Breath testing was performed on 1 957 drivers at 23 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Vredendal service area. At 0,97 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is over four times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

A total of 120 speeding offences were recorded and 726 fines in the total amount of R271 650 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.

Highest speeds

• 158 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the Beaufort West service area, and
• 155 km/h in a 100 km/h zone in the Swellendam service area.

Details of the eight road fatalities

Child pedestrians are far more likely to be killed in crashes. This is because they are generally shorter than adults and are more likely to be struck in the head or chest. They are also generally more difficult to see. You can make the roads safer simply by setting a good example of safe pedestrian behaviour, at all times, wherever you are. As a driver, you can help keep pedestrians safe by never speeding, and by making a deliberate point of slowing down whenever you notice people walking.

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