Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services arrested 30 motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol between Thursday 24 March and Monday 28 March 2016. Six people died in road crashes over the weekend – two drivers, two passengers and two pedestrians.
Six other arrests were made: two for fraudulent documentation, one for the possession of drugs, one for travelling at excessive speed and two vehicles were impounded.
Breath testing was performed on 940 drivers at 22 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Oudtshoorn service area. At 1,21 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is more than five times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.
A total of 14 708 vehicles were screened for speeding and 930 speeding offences were recorded. The highest speeds recorded were 173 km/h in a 120 km/h zone on the N2 in the George service area, 152 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the N1 in the Brackenfell service area and 124 km/h in an 80 km/h zone on the N2 in the Knysna service area. These drivers face heavy fines.
A total of 153 fines in the amount of R151 400 were issued for various traffic law infringements, including driver and vehicle fitness violations.
Details of weekend road crash fatalities
Friday 25 March 2016
Eden/Central Karoo
- Laingsburg – 1 passenger
Winelands/Overberg
- Montagu – 1 passenger
Saturday 26 March 2016
Greater Cape Metro Pole
- Mowbray – 1 driver
Winelands/Overberg
- Grabouw – 1 pedestrian
Sunday 27 March 2016
Greater Cape Metropole
- Macassar/Baden Powell – 1 pedestrian
Winelands/Overberg
- Between Hermanus and Fisherhaven – 1 driver
The Department of Transport and Public Works appeals to motorists to make themselves and others safer by not drinking and driving, by buckling up in the front and back at all times, by not using a cell phone while driving, by driving carefully and considerately, and by always remaining within the speed limit.
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