Ten arrested on Western Cape roads this week

Provincial Traffic Services arrested five motorists this week for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol. Traffic officers arrested a total of 109 drunken drivers in the first three weeks of January.

Since Monday, 18 January 2016, traffic officers have stopped a total of 14 717 vehicles in roadblocks across the province. Alcohol breath-testing was performed on 1 305 motorists. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in Somerset. At 0,89 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is over three times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

Details of drunken driving arrests:

• 1 in the Mossel Bay service area on 18 January 2016.
• 1 in the George service area on 19 January 2016.
• 1 in the Somerset West service area on 19 January 2016.
• 1 in the Mossel Bay service area on 20 January 2016.
• 1 in the Somerset West service area on 20 January 2016.

A total of 10 vehicles were impounded for being unlicensed and/ or unroadworthy. The licences of 22 vehicles were suspended until they have been certified as roadworthy and owners have renewed their vehicle licences. The largest numbers of suspended vehicles (10) was recorded in the Somerset West service area.

A total of 4 671 vehicles were screened for speeding and 372 speeding offences were recorded. Speeding fines in the amount of R20 300 were issued.

The highest speeds were recorded on the N1 in the Brackenfell service area (169 km/h in a 120 km/h zone), on the R27 in the Beaufort West service area (115 km/h in a 100 km/h zone), on the N2 in the Somerset service area (112 km/h in an 80 km/h zone) and on the N2 in the Knysna service area (100 km/h in a 60 km/h zone). These drivers face heavy fines and will appear in court soon.

Five other arrests were made – one in connection with false documentation in Beaufort West, one in connection with false documentation in Somerset West, one in possession of 56 bags of abalone in Laingsburg, one for excessive speed (100 km/h in a 60 km/h zone) in Knysna and one drunken pedestrian arrest in Worcester. The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.

Breakdown of fines issued for various traffic violations

Help us to create booze-free roads. The simple fact is that alcohol and roads don’t mix. Drunk drivers put their own lives and those of their passengers in danger, as well as the lives of other road users. By taking the decision not to drink and drive, and sharing your decision with your family and friends, you can influence the behaviour of others in a positive way.

Motorists can make themselves and others safer by buckling-up in the front and back at all times, driving carefully and considerately, and always remaining within the speed limit.

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