Media Release by Daylin Mitchell, Western Cape Minister of Mobility
I am deeply saddened by the news and angry at the suspected speeding drunk driver who drove into two traffic vehicles and injured a Provincial Traffic Officer who was attending to an accident scene over the weekend.
The suspected drunk driver drove into two stationary Provincial Traffic vehicles where officers where attending to a scene where yet another pedestrian was knocked down in the middle of the road on the N2 just near the Symphony Way bridge on Saturday evening.
The scene was secured but the speeding driver drove though the cones and collided with the stationary traffic vehicles. One traffic officer was injured and transported to hospital. The driver was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.
I want to send a stern warning to all drivers who are speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol, that the law will take its own course and come back to bite you. Speeding is a serious concern, and irresponsible, and dangerous drivers will be dealt with.
I urge everyone to play a role in improving road safety for all road users whether they are pedestrians, cyclists, passengers or drivers. Motorists are to be vigilant at all times on the road, and pedestrians to make themselves visible to motorists, especially at night and in the early morning.
Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services implemented a total of 207 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check point and speed control operations across the province in the week of 12 to 18 September 2022, and 32 722 vehicles were stopped and checked. A total of 8 451 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness.
A total of 415 speeding offences were recorded. Speeding is a serious concern. The faster you drive, the less time you have to respond to an emergency and the more space you need to stop to avoid a crash. Speeding is irresponsible and dangerous. The highest speeds recorded this week were as follows:
- 165 km/h in a 120 km/h zone
- 139 km/h in a 100 km/h zone
- 114 km/h in an 80 km/h zone
- 84 km/h in a 70 km/h zone
- 104 km/h in a 60 km/h zone
- 74 km/h in a 40 km/h zone
Thirteen vehicles were impounded and 105 were discontinued for unroadworthiness.
National Road Traffic Act and Criminal Procedure Act
A total of 60 arrests were made for the following offences:
- 36 x driving under the influence of alcohol.
- 2 x speeding.
- 3 x reckless and negligent driving.
- 3 x goods overloading.
- 6 x possession of fraudulent documentation.
- 3 x bribery.
- 1 x failing to comply with a lawful order from an authorised officer.
- 2 x obstructing or hindering an authorised officer in the execution of his/her duty.
- 1 x undocumented person.
- 1 x resisting arrest.
- 1 x crimen injuria.
- 1 x possession of illegal substance.
Fatalities recorded between 12 to 18 September 2022
A total of 18 crashes occurred in the reporting period, and 19 fatalities were recorded:
- 1 x driver.
- 3 x motorcyclists.
- 5 x passengers.
- 10 x pedestrians.
Never drink and drive. Never drink and walk near a road. If you have been drinking, make other arrangements to get home. If you are stopped by a traffic law enforcement officer and the officer suspects that you are over the legal limit, you will be arrested. If you are convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol, you will have a criminal record. Make sure that you can see other road users and that they can see you in the rain, mist and fog of winter. Keep a safe following distance when visibility is poor, especially when the road is wet. Take careful note of pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
Media Queries:
Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka
Spokesperson for Minister Daylin Mitchell
Cell: 082 953 0026
Email: Ntomboxolo.Makoba-Somdaka@westerncape.gov.za