Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services implemented a total of 184 integrated roadblocks, vehicle checkpoint and speed control operations across the province in the week of 26 April to 2 May 2021, and 23 865 vehicles were stopped and checked.
A total of 1 021 speeding offences were recorded and 5 518 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness in the total amount of R4 384 850.
Fourteen vehicles were impounded and 77 were discontinued for unroadworthiness.
The highest speeds recorded were as follows:
- 175 km/h in a 120 km/h zone
- 145 km/h in a 100 km/h zone
- 124 km/h in a 80 km/h zone
- 114 km/h in a 70 km/h zone
- 104 km/h in a 60 km/h zone
Disaster Management Act
A total of 14 charges were laid under the Disaster Management Act and fines to the total value of R44 000 were issued.
National Road Traffic Act and Criminal Procedure Act
A total of 35 arrests were made for the following offences:
- 16 x driving under the influence of alcohol
- 2 x reckless and negligent driving
- 5 x possession of fraudulent documentation
- 4 x speeding
- 1 x goods overloading
- 1 x driving a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent
- 1 x bribery
- 1 x undocumented person
- 1 x crimen injuria
- 1 x owner failed to notify the South African Police Service of a theft within 24 hours
- 1 x no engine/ chassis number
- 1 x operator failed to appear before the MEC after not complying with the National Road Traffic Act
Fatalities recorded between 26 April to 2 May 2021
A total of 20 crashes occurred in the reporting period, and 24 fatalities were recorded:
- 3 x drivers
- 1 x cyclist
- 3 x passengers
- 17 x pedestrians
A road safety message from the Department of Transport and Public Works: No text or call is worth your life – it can wait
“Taking your eyes off the road for any reason while you are driving is extremely dangerous. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of crashes that kill people and leave them seriously injured,” says Vigie Chetty, Acting Director: Traffic Law Enforcement. “Never look away to answer a call, check a message or adjust the music – it’s like driving with your eyes closed. Even talking, eating or drinking can take your attention away from driving safely. No text or call is worth risking your life or the life of others – it can wait,” she adds.
In the early hours of Saturday 1 May at the Engen 1stop on the N1 outbound, the Road Safety Management component of the Department of Transport and Public Works in partnership with Western Cape Motorcycle Association embarked on one of its first dedicated motorcycle road safety awareness campaigns. While lane-splitting and lane-shifting is not illegal, it must be done in a safe way. Motorists and freight drivers were encouraged to move away from the idea that motorcycle riders are reckless and to accept the idea that we must all share the roads equally.
Autumn has arrived, and mist and fog are already reducing visibility on the roads. Ensure your headlamps, rear lamps, stop lamps and brakes are working. Make sure your tyres are in a good condition so that you can safely drive in autumn road conditions. Take careful note of pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
Distracted pedestrians are a danger to themselves and to other people on the road. Only walk where it is safe to do so. Wear visible clothing, especially at night. Motorists can only avoid you if they can see you. When you cross a road, pay careful attention to the traffic. Take off your earphones or headphones so that you can hear oncoming traffic. If you have been drinking, avoid walking near a road. Find a safer way to get home.
Never drink and drive. Even small amounts of alcohol can affect your judgement as a driver or a cyclist. Do not drive or cycle when 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. Driving tired is as dangerous as driving drunk. The urge to sleep can distract you from driving safely. If you are tired, pull over and rest. On a long journey, plan to take rest breaks in safe places every two hours or 200 km.
If you drive a public transport vehicle, be extra careful throughout your journey. Ensure the safety of your passengers at all times. If you experience a breakdown, never allow your passengers to get out of the vehicle into the roadway because this will endanger their lives. Make sure your vehicle is roadworthy and that your operating licence is in order. Ensure that you and all occupants are wearing a mask over their noses and mouths, and sanitising regularly. Stay off the road during the curfew hours between midnight and 04:00.
Observe passenger limits – 100% of licensed carrying capacity for journeys shorter than 200 km, and 70% of carrying capacity for journeys of more than 200 km. Make sure the windows are at least 5 cm open on both sides of your vehicle at all times. The Department of Transport and Public Works uses electronic systems to monitor public transport vehicles, drivers, and trips. The details of operating licences are available to traffic officers in real time. Tired drivers will be pulled off and made to rest before they resume their onward journeys. Never speed. Speeding drivers risk the lives of the people in their vehicles, and the lives of others. It is best to travel slowly and carefully. It’s the only way that you will be able to react to emergencies in time.
Seatbelts save lives. If a vehicle travelling at only 60 km/h crashes, a 55 kg person without a seatbelt will experience an impact of over 19 000 kg! With a seatbelt, the force will be about 3 800 kg. Always wear a seatbelt, even on the shortest trip. Make sure everyone in your vehicle is using a seatbelt or age-appropriate child harness.
No text or call is worth your life – it can wait.
For more information see https://safelyhome.westerncape.gov.za and find us on Facebook and Twitter @WCGovSafelyHome.
Media enquiries
Jandré Bakker
Head of Communication
Department of Transport and Public Works
Email: Jandre.Bakker@westerncape.gov.za