Results of Provincial Traffic Services traffic operations - 3 to 8 January 2023

The Safely Home theme for January is Alcohol and Roads Don’t Mix. This week, 36 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence. Six pedestrians were killed in crashes.

“While I am pleased with the reduction in arrests, I am still concerned that more than half of the arrests were for driving under the influence of alcohol, which has been a worrying theme this festive season” said Dr Ivan Meyer, acting Provincial Minister of Mobility.

Consuming alcohol, even in small amounts, and then walking, cycling or driving is very dangerous. Crashes involving drivers and pedestrians under the influence are no accident. Blood alcohol concentration tests on the bodies of people killed in road crashes show that, whether you are a pedestrian, cyclist or driver, your risk of dying in a road crash is higher if you have been drinking. Alcohol impairs processes critical to safe road use, such as vision and reaction time, is also associated with poor judgement, and is often linked to other high-risk road use behaviours such as speeding or not using seatbelts.

Provincial Traffic Services implemented a total of 300 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check point and speed control operations across the Western Cape in the week of 3 to 8 January 2023, and 37 977 vehicles were stopped and checked. A total of 12 670 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness.

A total of 303 speeding offences were recorded. If you are a motorist, show consideration for pedestrians wherever they are. Pedestrians are almost always killed in collisions with vehicles travelling faster than 60km/ hour. Slowing down will give you more time to avoid to pedestrians in the road. If you are travelling more slowly and you collide with a pedestrian, the pedestrian is more likely to survive. Be particularly careful when you come across child pedestrians. They may behave unpredictably and may struggle to understand how quickly a vehicle is moving. Because children are short, in a collision, they are likely to be hit in the head and chest and are therefore more likely to be killed. Pedestrians are also requested to exercise caution when using our roads and being vigilant especially when crossing roads. Please always try and use designated pathways and routes.

The highest speeds recorded this week were as follows:

• 166 km/h in a 120 km/h zone
• 139 km/h in a 100 km/h zone
• 124 km/h in an 80 km/h zone
• 99 km/h in a 60 km/h zone
• 59 km/h in a 40 km/h zone

Thirty-four vehicles were impounded and 105 were discontinued for unroadworthiness.

National Road Traffic Act and Criminal Procedure Act

A total of 74 arrests were made for the following offences:

• 36 x driving under the influence of alcohol.
• 10 x reckless and negligent driving.
• 4 x goods overloading.
• 4 x speeding.
• 15 x possession of fraudulent documentation.
• 2 x possession of narcotics.
• 1 x obstructing or hindering an authorised officer in the execution of his/ her duty.
• 1 x stolen vehicle.
• 1 x possession of unlicensed firearm.

Fatalities recorded between 3 to 8 January 2023

A total of 10 crashes occurred in the reporting period, and 11 fatalities were recorded:

• 2 x drivers.
• 1 x motorcycle pillion.
• 2 x passengers.
• 6 x pedestrians.

“While the festive season is not yet over, all indications are that road fatalities are lower than they were a year ago. I wish to thank Provincial Traffic Law Enforcement and Road Safety Management, municipal traffic law enforcement services, the South African Police Service, and emergency services for all that they have done to keep road users safe over the holiday period. We are all responsible for road safety. I would therefore also like to thank you, the law-abiding road user, for the contribution you have made to keep us all safe this holiday”, added Provincial Minister Meyer.

#BoozeFreeRoads. Alcohol and roads don’t mix.

Media enquiries
Jandre Bakker
Head of Communication
Department of Transport and Public Works
Email: Jandre.Bakker@westerncape.gov.za