Two fatalities on Western Cape roads

An unconfirmed report from the Western Cape Department of Health’s Forensic Pathology Services indicates that two road users died on the province’s roads this weekend.

A female passenger lost her life on the R300 near Wesbank when the driver lost control and the vehicle overturned. In the other incident, a male pedestrian was knocked down and killed on the N7 at Buffelsdam near Vredendal.

Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services arrested 29 motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on 8 and 9 April 2016. Two other arrests were made: one in connection with impoundment in Beaufort West and one allegedly drunken pedestrian in Vredendal.

Breath testing was performed on 1 456 drivers at 25 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Somerset West service area. At 1,40 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is almost six times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

A total of 5 886 vehicles were screened for speeding and 1 018 speeding offences were recorded. The highest speeds recorded were 163 km/h in a 120 km/h zone on the N1 in the Brackenfell service area, and 168 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the N1 in the Brackenfell service area.

A total of 256 fines in the amount of R310 650 were issued for various traffic law infringements, including driver and vehicle fitness violations.

The Department of Transport and Public Works encourages road users to #BeTheChange that they want to see on Western Cape roads. They can do this by not drinking and driving, by buckling up in the front and back at all times, by not using a cell phone while driving, by driving and walking carefully and considerately, and by always remaining within the speed limit.