Eight fatalities on Western Cape roads

A preliminary report from Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services indicates that eight road users died on the province’s roads over the weekend.

Provincial traffic officers arrested 16 motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on 24 and 25 February 2017. Four were arrested in the George service area, three in Swellendam; three in Knysna; two in Beaufort West; two in Worcester; one in Caledon; and one in Mossel Bay.

Breath testing was performed on 1 409 drivers at 25 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Beaufort West service area. At 1,24 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this five times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

Five other persons were arrested:

• Two for excessive speed in Vredenburg
• One for excessive speed in Laingsburg
• One for excessive speed in Worcester
• One for false documentation in Worcester

A total of 654 speeding offences were recorded. A total of 170 fines in the amount of R213 350 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver offences to vehicle fitness violations.

The highest speeds recorded in each traffic service area were: 175 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the Laingsburg service area; 136 km/h in a 100 km/h zone in the Swellendam service area; and 108 km/h in an 80 km/h zone in the Worcester service area.

Details of road fatalities

We urge the public to assist us to create safer roads. The fewer incidents on our roads, the more quickly our response agencies can attend to emergencies. We can’t ensure road safety alone. All of us have a role to play.

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