Weekend Road Accidents: Injuries, Fatalities and Scores Arrested

City of Cape Town Traffic Officers arrested nine motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol during a roadblock held in Albert Road, Woodstock on Friday evening, 30 July. In addition, thirty three (33) unlicensed drivers were charged, while 12 others were fined for unlicensed motor vehicles.

At a roadblock in Green Point the following day, Saturday 31 July, Traffic Officers arrested thirteen (13) people for driving under the influence of alcohol. These roadblocks form part of Traffic Services' unrelenting efforts to curb drunk driving on the city's roads.

On Saturday afternoon, on the R300 near Vanguard Drive, Mitchells Plain, a 35-year-old motorist was fatally wounded when he lost control of his vehicle. The vehicle overturned and he was thrown a distance. The passenger was treated for shock. It is alleged that prior to the accident, the driver was involved in a hit-and-run accident with a pedestrian and a BMW in Samora Machel, a short distance from where he crashed his car.

Meanwhile, three cars were involved in a collision at the intersection of Stellenbosch Arterial and Polkadraai. Ten people sustained injuries, three of whom are in a very serious condition. The Southbound carriageway was closed to allow for a rescue helicopter to land, and traffic was diverted to Link Road.

Although the traffic flow was heavy at the time, a motorist was caught driving for quite a distance on the incorrect side of Link Road, overtaking stationary vehicles. He was arrested for reckless or negligent driving and also faces charges of drunk driving.

In another incident, a woman was arrested for drunk driving when she was involved in a two-car pile-up at Blaauwberg Road and Raatz Drive.

"This weekend a total of forty four (44) vehicles - eight of which overturned - and five pedestrians were involved in twenty five (25) accidents across the city. These accidents resulted in two fatalities, eight serious injuries and eighteen (18) minor injuries, while eleven (11) people were lucky to get away unscathed. Drunk and reckless driving has become a serious problem on our roads and poses an unfair danger to other motorists. Traffic Services will continue to conduct its roadblock operations in the hopes of curbing this trend," said Media Spokesperson for Cape Town Traffic Services, Chief Inspector Merle Lourens.

Issued by:
Communication Department
City of Cape Town