A total of 76 people have died on the roads in the Western Cape since the beginning of December.
Also read: Western Cape roads have already claimed 55 fatalities this December
This is according to Arrive Alive’s latest statistics in their mid-festive season road safety update as of 22 December. The latest data reveals a ‘persistent recklessness of some road users’ despite increased enforcement and awareness efforts by Provincial Traffic Services. A total of 77 people lost their lives on the roads during the same period last year.
Pedestrians accounted for 45% (34 people) of deaths. The remaining fatalities include 26 passengers (34%), 14 drivers (18%) and two motorcyclists (3%).
As per Arrive Alive’s statement, many of the traffic incidents that resulted in these fatalities could have been prevented by either checking vehicles and tyres, buckling up, not drinking and driving, as well as speeding or taking chances such as dangerously overtaking, and stopping to rest.
A preliminary analysis revealed that a number of the fatal crashes involved drivers losing control of their vehicles, which suggests that they could have been distracted while driving. These distractions could include using a cell phone or falling asleep at the wheel.
‘We have noticed that more incidents are happening during the day, instead of at nighttime. Our team is monitoring this emerging trend closely, and we have appealed to road users to take just as much care during the daytime as they normally would at night.
‘Although there have been road crashes recorded all over the province, many of them have taken place in the Metro, Garden Route, Cape Winelands, and on the West Coast.
‘Western Cape Provincial Traffic Officers are deployed to specific locations on the major routes, where we know there is a probability of crashes occurring due to speeding and or reckless and negligent driving.’
These probabilities are calculated using a predictive analysis system which incorporates integrated technology and data.
Between one and 20 December 2023, provincial traffic services conducted 960 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check points and speed control operations, and stopped and checked 112 456 vehicles across the Western Cape.
A total of 35 951 fines were issued, 50 vehicles were impounded and 339 were discontinued due to unroadworthiness.
The following high speeds were recorded for a total of 673 speeding offences:
- 182kph in a 120km/h zone
- 144kph in a 100km/h zone
- 125kph in an 80km/h zone
- 104kph in a 70km/h zone
- 104kph in a 60km/h zone
- 79kph in a 40km/h zone
The following offences resulted in 322 arrests:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol (226)
- Speeding (four)
- Reckless and negligent driving (25)
- Goods overloading (11)
- Possession of fraudulent documentation (41)
- Attempting to bribe a traffic officer (three)
- Resisting arrest (two)
- Obstructing or hindering an authorised officer in the execution of his or her duty (two)
- Person wilfully preventing, hindering or interfering with the flow of traffic (one)
- Undocumented person (one)
- Fail to furnish information (one)
- Crimen injuria (one)
- Impersonating an authorised officer (one)
- Possession of illegal substance (dagga, two))
- Possession of crayfish tails (one)
Also read:
CoCT says drivers continue to rack up fines despite roadshow
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