More than 50% of arrests made in the Western Cape between January 17 and 23 were for driving under the influences of alcohol. Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works, Daylin Mitchell has expressed his concerns regarding the drunk driving statistics, as well as the high speeds recorded.
“Traveling at 169km/h in a 120km/h zone is reckless and irresponsible. Drivers are putting their own lives and the lives of other road users at considerable risk”, he said.
“I call on other role-players including the South African Police Service and prosecuting authorities to ensure that the hard work by our officers in apprehending these criminals is not undone and that these law-breakers face the full might of the law.”
The Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services implemented a total of 323 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check points and speed control operations across the province in the week of 17 to 23 January, and 32 330 vehicles were stopped and checked.
A total of 253 speeding offences were recorded and 6 641 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness in the total amount of R8 074 300.
58 vehicles were impounded and 77 were discontinued for unroadworthiness. This is a fraction of the number of vehicles checked.
The highest speeds recorded were as follows:
- 169 km/h in a 120 km/h zone
- 139 km/h in a 100 km/h zone
- 104 km/h in a 90 km/h zone
- 119 km/h in a 80 km/h zone
- 99 km/h in a 60 km/h zone
A total of 68 arrests were made for the following offences:
- 35 x driving under the influence of alcohol
- 5 x speeding
- 5 x reckless and negligent driving
- 3 x goods overloading
- 11 x possession of fraudulent documentation
- 4 x bribery
- 1 x failing to furnish information
- 1 x undocumented person
- 1 x obstructing or hindering an authorised officer in the execution of his/ her duty.
- 2 x possession of an illegal substance (dagga)
A total of 17 crashes occurred in the reporting period, and 21 fatalities were recorded:
- 6 x drivers
- 1 x cyclist
- 2 x motorcyclists
- 5 x passengers
- 7 x pedestrians
“My sincere thanks to our traffic management team and the extended law enforcement and emergency services fraternity as well as law-abiding road-users for their hard work and support in combatting road-related incidents and fatalities”, Mitchell concluded.
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