Twenty-Four Deaths on Western Cape roads

Sixteen passengers, four drivers, three pedestrians and one cyclist died over the weekend on Western Cape roads.

Provincial Traffic Services stopped a total of 3 323 vehicles in 28 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. Alcohol breath-testing was performed on 1 715 drivers and 23 were arrested. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in Somerset West. At 1,76 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is over seven times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

In addition, a total of 7 957 vehicles were screened for speeding and 1 253 speeding offences were recorded. A total of 453 fines in the amount of R757 100 were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver fitness violations to vehicle fitness infringements of the law.

Five other arrests were also reported. Traffic officers arrested two drivers in connection with false documentation in Somerset and Worcester, two drunken pedestrians in Vredendal and Klawer, and one person for possession of dagga in Worcester. The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.

The highest speeds were recorded on the N1 in the Brackenfell service area (173 km/h in a 120 km/h zone), on the N2 in the Swellendam service area (132 km/h in a 100 km/h zone) and on the N7 in the Vredendal service area (127 km/h in an 80 km/h zone).

Help us to create booze-free roads. The simple fact is that alcohol and roads don’t mix. Whether you are driving, walking, or riding a motorbike or bicycle, even small amounts of alcohol can impair your ability to make decisions, operate a vehicle, or walk safely near traffic. If you have friends or family who still drive under the influence, speak to them before they get into trouble with the law.

Details of the road fatalities over the weekend follow.

Friday, 18 December 2015

Eden
Knysna – 1 cyclist

West Coast
Langebaan – 1 pedestrian

Cape Metropole
Harare – 3 passengers
Lingulethu – 1 pedestrian
Duinefontein – 1 driver

Saturday, 19 December 2015

Overberg:
Swellendam – 3 passengers
Bot River/ Caledon – 1 driver and 1 passenger

Sunday, 20 December 2015

West Coast
Porterville – 1 driver and 3 passengers

Eden/ Central Karoo
Riversdale – 1 passenger
Laingsburg – 3 passengers and 1 driver

Cape Winelands/ Overberg
Mbekweni – 1 pedestrian
Swellendam – 2 passengers