The holiday season has begun and officials are deeply concerned about the increasing number of traffic accidents and fatalities on the province’s roads.
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Western Cape Minister of Mobility Ricardo Mackenzie said that the ministry needed road users to take this situation seriously and obey the rules of the road.
Provincial traffic officers have increased their patrols significantly in the last week, stopping and inspecting 37% more vehicles and issuing 55% more fines than the previous week.
The number of arrests for drunk driving has quadrupled in the last week, from 25 the previous week to 103 this week. The number of passengers killed in car accidents has also skyrocketed.
Buckle up, check your vehicle and tyres, do not drink and drive, do not speed or overtake dangerously and stop and rest when tired or every 200 kilometres.
Road freight companies, which are critical to the economy’s survival, must ensure that their truck drivers act safely and are not under pressure to take risks.
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‘I have been flabbergasted watching large tucks overtaking two or three other trucks without adequate visibility. Or drivers not taking rest breaks to combat fatigue. Just one driver falling asleep at the wheel can have fatal consequences for many,’ said Mackenzie.
‘The Provincial Traffic Officers are out in full force working closely with the South African Police Services and local authorities and doing an amazing job to ensure everyone arrives safely home.’
‘But we need to see road users stepping up and working with us to combat road crashes and fatalities this festive season.’
The figures for crashes and fatalities since the beginning of December will be released in a MidFestive Season Report later this week.
Provincial traffic inspectors conducted 335 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check points and speed control operations and stopped and checked 47 404 vehicles (37% more than the previous week) across the Western Cape. A total of 15 570 fines (55% more than the previous week) were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness. Nineteen vehicles were impounded and 171 were discontinued for being found to be unroadworthy.
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Picture: Supplied