Provincial Traffic Services arrested five motorists this week for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.
Since Monday, 8 February 2016, traffic officers have stopped a total of 16 588 vehicles in roadblocks across the Western Cape. Alcohol breath-testing was performed on 1 342 motorists. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Knysna service area. At 1,13 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is over four times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.
Details of drunken driving arrests
- 1 in the Somerset West service area on 8 February 2016.
- 2 in the Somerset West service area on 9 February 2016.
- 1 in the Knysna service area on 10 February 2016.
- 1 in the Worcester service area on 10 February 2016.
A total of 14 vehicles were impounded, including 10 in the George service area, for being unlicensed and/ or unroadworthy. The licences of 14 vehicles were suspended until they have been certified as roadworthy and owners have renewed their vehicle licences. The largest number of suspended vehicles was recorded in the Somerset West service area (four).
Speeding fines in the amount of R45 400 were issued. The highest speeds were recorded on the N2 in the George service area (169 km/h in a 120 km/h zone), on the N1 in the Worcester service area (117 km/h in a 100 km/h zone), on the N2 in the Somerset service area (104 km/h in an 80 km/h zone) and on the N2 in the Knysna service area (93 km/h in a 60 km/h zone). These drivers face heavy fines and will appear in court soon.
Six other arrests were made – one in connection with false documentation in Somerset West, one in connection with false documentation in Vredendal, one in possession of abalone worth R108 900, one for overloading in Somerset West, one for reckless and negligent driving in Brackenfell, and one for excessive speed in Beaufort West (132 km/h in a 120 km/h zone). The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
Breakdown of fines issued for various traffic violations
| Traffic Centre | Driver-related offences and fines
(safety belt offences, overloading, invalid documentation and illegal use of cell phone) |
Vehicle-related offences and fines
(vehicle licence, brakes, lights, tyres, number plates) |
| Somerset West | 293 totalling R354 250 | 86 totalling R 54 300 |
| Vredenburg | 38 totalling R43 650 | 16 totalling R 8 200 |
| Vredendal | 69 totalling R68 000 | 35 totalling R 15 500 |
| Worcester | 150 totalling R147 500 | 44 totalling R 29 500 |
| Swellendam | 70 totalling R63 300 | 53 totalling R 25 300 |
| Mossel Bay | 34 totalling R35 700 | 17 totalling R 11 400 |
| Oudtshoorn | 7 totalling R8 200 | 10 totalling R 5 100 |
| Beaufort West | 104 totalling R109 750 | 100 totalling R 51 300 |
| Caledon | 20 totalling R19 000 | 11 totalling R 8 500 |
| Knysna | 53 totalling R45 800 | 27 totalling R 8 500 |
| George | 61 totalling R60 100 | 26 totalling R 12 000 |
| Brackenfell | 120 totalling R167 100 | 31 totalling R 18 500 |
| Laingsburg | 46 totalling R64 300 | 55 totalling R 35 300 |
Motorists can make themselves and others safer by not drinking and driving, by buckling up in the front and back at all times, driving carefully and considerately, and always remaining within the speed limit.