Seven killed on Western Cape roads over the weekend

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

Provincial Traffic Officers arrested 27 motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on 26 and 27 August 2016.

• Five were arrested in the Brackenfell service area,
• five in George, 
• four in Mossel Bay, 
• four in Worcester, 
• three in Swellendam, 
• two in Knysna, 
• two in Vredendal, 
• one in Beaufort West, and
• one in Somerset West.

Two other arrests were made: one in connection with overloading in Worcester; and one for assaulting a traffic officer.

Breath testing was performed on 1 829 drivers at 25 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in Swellendam. At 1,13 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is four times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

A total of 9 451 vehicles were screened for speeding and 1 214 speeding offences were recorded. Fines in the amount of R249 500 were issued.

Highest speeds recorded

• 175 km/h in a 120 km/h zone on the N1 in the Brackenfell service area, 
• 181 km/h in a 100 km/h zone in Brackenfell service area, and
• 95 km/h in an 80 km/h on the N1 in the Worcester service area.

Weekend road traffic fatalities

Speeding plays a causal and aggravating role in most fatal crashes on Western Cape roads. We encourage motorists to slow down, thereby greatly reducing their likelihood of being involved in a horrific crash that results in a senseless loss of life. We will continue to address speeding through awareness campaigns, enforcement activities, and the Average Speed Over Distance (ASOD) camera enforcement network.

Follow Safely Home on Twitter @WCGovSafelyHome under the hashtag #SpeedKillsFacts