A preliminary report from Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services indicates that five people died on the province’s roads over the weekend.
A total of 36 motorists were arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol. Ten motorists were arrested in the Mossel Bay service area; five in the Swellendam service area; five in the Worcester service area; five in the Brackenfell service area; three in the Caledon service area; three in the Laingsburg service area; three in the George service area; and two in the Somerset West service area.
In addition, traffic officers arrested seven people:
- One for reckless and negligent driving in the N2 Caledon service area;
- One for reckless and negligent driving in the N1 Worcester service area;
- One for reckless and negligent driving in the N1 Beaufort West service area;
- One for being in possession of false documentation in the N2 Swellendam service area;
- One for being in possession of false documentation in the N1 Worcester service area;
- Two for overloading a goods vehicle in the N2 Somerset West service area.
Breath testing was performed on 4 157 drivers at 29 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in the Swellendam service area. At 1,49 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is over six times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.
A total of 287 speeding offences were recorded and 600 fines in the total amount of R857 690 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver to vehicle fitness violations.
The highest speeds recorded were: 164 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the N2 Mossel Bay service area; 129 km/h in a 80 km/h zone in the N2 Somerset West service area; and 95 km/h in a 60 km/h zone in the N2 Somerset West service area.
Details of the five road fatalities
| Date | Location of crash | Fatalities |
| Saturday, 16 December 2017 – 04:15 | N1 Laingsburg | 1 passenger |
| Saturday, 16 December 2017 – 11:30 | R61 between Beaufort West and Aberdeen | 1 passenger |
| Sunday, 17 December 2017 – 05:10 | N1 Leeu Gamka | 1 unknown |
| Sunday, 10 December 2017 | N1 between Leeu Gamka and Beaufort West | 1 driver |
| Sunday, 17 December 2017 – 06:43 | Mfuleni (N2 Somerset West area) | 1 driver |
Drivers under the influence put their own lives and those of their passengers in danger, and they endanger the lives of other road users. If you’re drinking, don’t drive or walk. Help us create booze-free roads. If you have friends or family who still drive under the influence, speak to them before they get into trouble with the law.
Join Safely Home on Twitter @WCGovSafelyHome under the hashtag #BoozeFreeRoads