Over the past week our provincial traffic officers have arrested 106 people on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and, once again, more than 50% of traffic fatalities were pedestrians; 14 of the 25 people who lost their lives in such incidents.
Western Cape Minister of Mobility Ricardo Mackenzie said that in this period he had personally witnessed one suspected drunken driver going straight through a roadblock and mounting a pavement, before being arrested.
“Such irresponsible and reckless behaviour puts all other road users at risk,” he said.
Mackenzie said provincial traffic officers have been extremely busy at this time, stopping and checking more than 50 000 vehicles across the province. In addition to making 157 arrests for various offences, they issued 17 561 fines, impounded 47 vehicles and took 229 vehicles off the roads permanently.
“As schools reopen this week and many people return to work I urge all road users to be safe and responsible while travelling. There are increased volumes of traffic on our roads, and we often see especially poor driving behaviour at this time of the year.
“We need everyone to take extra care, be patient and abide by the rules of the road for their own safety and the safety of those around them. Please buckle-up, don’t drink and drive, don’t speed, take regular rest breaks, and don’t take unnecessary risks! It’s not worth it.”
Results from Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services – 8 to 14 January:
Provincial traffic officers conducted 337 integrated roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints and speed-control operations, and stopped and checked 53 911 vehicles across the Western Cape.
A total of 17 561 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness. Forty-seven vehicles were impounded and 229 were discontinued for being unroadworthy.
A total of 333 speeding offences were recorded, with the following highest speeds:
• 172 km/h in a 120 km/h zone
• 139 km/h in a 100 km/h zone
• 109 km/h in an 80 km/h zone
• 114 km/h in a 70 km/h zone
• 99 km/h in a 60 km/h zone
A total of 157 arrests were made for the following offences:
• 106 x driving under the influence of alcohol
• 3 x speeding
• 7 x reckless and negligent driving
• 1 x goods overloading
• 16 x possession of fraudulent documentation
• 4 x inducing any authorised officer or peace officer to act in con?ict with his/her duty
• 1 x failing to furnish information
• 2 x obstructing or hindering an authorised officer in the execution of his or her duty
• 11 x undocumented persons
• 1 x defeating the ends of justice
• 2 x possession of illegal substance
• 1 x possession of stolen vehicle
• 1 x possession of abalone
• 1 x possession of firearm
A total of 23 crashes and 25 fatalities were recorded, including:
• 4 x drivers
• 7 x passengers
• 14 x pedestrians