Provincial Traffic Services arrested four motorists this week for allegedly driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol. Traffic officers also arrested three drivers for excessive speed – two in Beaufort West and one in Vredendal.
Since Monday, 18 April 2016, traffic officers have stopped a total of 13 691 vehicles in roadblocks across the Western Cape. Alcohol breath-testing was performed on 1 171 motorists. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Somerset West service area. At 1,25 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is five times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.
Details of DUI arrests:
- 2 in the Somerset West service area on 18 April.
- 2 in the Mossel Bay service area on 20 April.
One vehicle was impounded in Somerset West for being unlicensed and/ or unroadworthy. The licences of 21 vehicles were suspended until they have been certified as roadworthy and owners have renewed their vehicle licences. The largest number of suspended vehicles (4) was recorded in the George service area.
A total of 70 speeding fines in the amount of R30 700 were issued. The highest speeds were recorded on the N1 in the Brackenfell service area (183 km/h in a 120 km/h zone), on the N1 in the Worcester service area (152 km/h in a 100 km/h zone), on the R399 in the Vredenburg service area (106 km/h in an 80 km/h zone) and on the N2 in the Knysna service area (86 km/h in a 60 km/h zone). These drivers face heavy fines.
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 CELLPHONE) | VEHICLE-RELATED OFFENCES AND FINES (VEHICLE LICENCE, BRAKES, LIGHTS, TYRES, NUMBER PLATES) |
| Somerset West | 222 totalling R215 300 | 23 totalling R19 700 |
| Vredenburg | 54 totalling R51 400 | 40 totalling R21 800 |
| Vredendal | 80 totalling R80 050 | 57 totalling R31 300 |
| Worcester | 176 totalling R184 900 | 50 totalling R29 600 |
| Swellendam | 90 totalling R89 850 | 49 totalling R24 800 |
| Mossel Bay | 72 totalling R74 700 | 36 totalling R22 400 |
| Oudtshoorn | 7 totalling R8 750 | 3 totalling R1 300 |
| Beaufort West | 62 totalling R45 950 | 38 totalling R21 700 |
| Caledon | 25 totalling R33 000 | 18 totalling R11 800 |
| Knysna | 48 totalling R42 100 | 14 totalling R6 000 |
| George | 98 totalling R73 600 | 55 totalling R25 000 |
| Brackenfell | 196 totalling R251 300 | 49 totalling R25 500 |
| Laingsburg | 22 totalling R22 800 | 32 totalling R11 800 |
The Department of Transport and Public Works is encouraging road users to #BeTheChange that they want to see on Western Cape roads. They can do this 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.