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Last week, from 22 to 28 January 2024, Western Cape Provincial Traffic Officers arrested 118 people on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, accounting for 75% of the total arrests made by our officers.
The message is simple, do not drink and drive. Even small amounts of alcohol can affect your judgement and lead to fatal consequences. If you have been drinking, please do not get behind the wheel.
Tragically, 13 pedestrians were killed this week in traffic crashes, out of a total of 21 people who lost their lives on the roads. This means that over 60% of the people who died were pedestrians.
I was especially saddened this week by the death of a Grade 1 learner, who was hit by a vehicle outside a school in Mitchells Plain. My heartfelt condolences go out to the parents, family and school community who are dealing with this devastating and untimely loss.
My plea to all drivers is to watch out for child pedestrians especially and slow down when you see them. As children are shorter than grown-ups, they are more likely to be hit in the head and chest, causing serious or fatal injuries.
Our Mobility Department tackles road safety on multiple fronts, including education and awareness interventions, traffic law enforcement, regulation of public transport, our integrated transport hub, freight transport management, and non-motorised transport, among others. Each of these programmes and the dedicated officials running them aim to make our roads safer.
Results from WC Provincial Traffic Services – 22 to 28 January 2024
Provincial Traffic Officers conducted 290 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check points and speed control operations; and stopped and checked 28 221 vehicles across the Western Cape.
A total of 8 434 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness. Nineteen vehicles were impounded and 161 were discontinued for being unroadworthy.
A total of 147 speeding offences were recorded, with the following highest speeds:
· 160km/h in a 120km/h zone
· 144km/h in a 100km/h zone
· 124Km/h in an 80km/h zone
· 94km/h in a 70km/h zone
· 99km/h in a 60km/h zone
A total of 157 arrests were made for the following offences:
· 118 x driving under the influence of alcohol
· 1 x speeding
· 4 x reckless and negligent driving
· 7 x goods overloading
· 15 x possession of fraudulent documentation
· 1 x bribery
· 1 x resisting arrest
· 1 x undocumented person
· 1 x possession of illegal substance
· 1 x possession of abalone
· 1 x possession of crayfish tails
· 2 x failing to furnish information
· 1 x failing to comply with a lawful order from an authorized officer
· 1 x defeating the ends of justice
· 1 x threatening/ suggesting use of violence against a traffic officer
· 1 x operating an unroadworthy vehicle
A total of 19 crashes and 21 fatalities were recorded, including:
· 2 x drivers
· 1 x cyclist
· 1 x motorcyclist
· 4 x passengers
· 13 x pedestrians