Twenty-six Drink Driving Arrests over First Weekend of School Holidays

Statement by Donald Grant, Minister of Transport and Public Works

With our schools on break for the next two weeks, Provincial Traffic law enforcement remains committed to ensuring safety across the province, and nabbing motorists that threaten the safety of others through their reckless and irresponsible behaviour.

This weekend’s 22 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the Western Cape saw a total of 2 168 vehicles stopped as part of Provincial Traffic services road safety campaign.

962 drivers were screened for (being under suspicion of) driving under the influence of alcohol resulting in 26 arrests.

The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in Knysna at 1,71 mg/1000 ml, which was seven times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/1000 ml.

10 246 vehicles were screened for speeding from which 999 speeding offences were recorded.

257 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness in the amount of R176 400.00.

Highest Speeds Recorded:

• 182 km/h in a 120 km/h zone on the N1 in the Brackenfell service area.
• 177 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the N1 in the Caledon service area.
• 116 km/h in an 80 km/h zone on the N2 in the Somerset West service area.

Other Arrests: Four

• 1 x Possession of Firearm (Somerset West).
• 1 x Possession of Illegal cigarettes to the value of R375 000.00 (Beaufort West).
• 1 x Speed Arrest for driving 163 km/h in 120 km/h zone (N2 - Mossel Bay).
• 1 x Speed Arrest for driving 169 km/h in 120 km/h zone (N1 - Beaufort West).

Total Fatalities Reported: 19

• 6 x people (1 x driver, 2 x male passengers, 2 x female passengers and 1 x female infant passenger). A truck and a sedan collided on the N7 near Moorreesburg on Saturday, 28 June 2014.
• 1 x driver: vehicle overturned on Papkuils Road, Darling on Saturday, 28 June 2014.
• 1 x pedestrian in Stellenbosch on Saturday, 28 June 2014.
• 1 x pedestrian in Saron on Saturday 28 June 2014.
• 5 x people burnt beyond recognition in a head-on collision on the Kanonkop Road, near Stellenbosch on Saturday, 28 June 2014.
• 1 x driver: truck overturned on R60 Robertson/Worcester Rd on Sunday, 29 June 2014.
• 1 x pedestrian in Bishop Lavis on Sunday, 29 June 2014.
• 1 x pedestrian in Harare on Sunday, 29 June 2014.
• 1 x pedestrian in Nyanga on Sunday, 29 June 2014.
• 1 x pedestrian in Heatherlands (Eden District - Southern Cape) on Sunday, 29 June 2014.

We will be continuing with our “no-nonsense” enforcement approach over the coming months, in partnership with our road safety partners and the citizens of the Western Cape, as part of our winter operational plan. Road users must continue to support our efforts by behaving responsibly on our roads, and with due regard for others travelling to and from their various destinations.

Drivers and other road users are encouraged to call the Emergency Traffic Control Centre (021) 812 4581 to report bad driving, or report the incident on our Safely Home Reporter.

Pictures taken at the Laingsburg roadblock on 27 June 2014: