In February, our road safety focus falls on vulnerable road users. This week, 58 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence on provincial roads and 19 pedestrians were killed in crashes. Children, people with disabilities and old people are more vulnerable than younger, able-bodied pedestrians.
Cyclists and motorcyclists are more vulnerable than people in vehicles. Children are more likely to be seriously injured or killed in a collision. This is because they are generally shorter than adults and are therefore more likely to get hit in their heads and chests. Slow down when you see children near a road. They may be prone to impulsive behaviour like running into the road after a ball or a pet without looking. Young children might not be good at judging the speed of an oncoming vehicle, so they may cross a road when it is not safe.
The bodies of older people are more fragile, so they are likely to be more seriously injured or killed in a crash. Older people take longer to recover from a crash than younger people, and they are more likely to die from injuries sustained in a collision. Be careful when you see an older person crossing a road. Be patient – they may walk more slowly than others, and they may not be able to respond quickly to a dangerous situation.
Cyclists and motorcyclists are more vulnerable than people in a four-wheeled vehicle. They do not have the same hard surfaces around them for protection in a crash. Their bodies are directly exposed to the force of the collision, as well as the force of secondary impacts, e.g., being knocked off their bikes to the ground.
Provincial Traffic Services implemented a total of 311 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check point and speed control operations across the Western Cape in the week of 20 to 26 February 2023, and 41 132 vehicles were stopped and checked. A total of 9 686 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness.
A total of 289 speeding offences were recorded. The highest speeds recorded this week were as follows:
- 182 km/h in a 120 km/h zone
- 144 km/h in a 100 km/h zone
- 114 km/h in an 80 km/h zone
- 104 km/h in a 70 km/h zone
- 99 km/h in a 60 km/h zone
Forty vehicles were impounded and 91 were discontinued for unroadworthiness.
Arrests
A total of 70 arrests were made for the following offences:
- 58 x driving under the influence of alcohol.
- 1 x speeding.
- 1 x reckless and negligent driving.
- 2 x goods overloading.
- 4 x possession of fraudulent documentation.
- 1 x bribery.
- 3 x failing to furnish information.
Fatalities recorded between 20 to 26 February 2023
A total of 27 crashes occurred in the reporting period, and 33 fatalities were recorded:
- 7 x drivers.
- 1 x motorcyclist.
- 6 x passengers.
- 19 x pedestrians.
Look out for people on two-wheeled vehicles. Keep 1.5m away you pass them, and don’t stop suddenly in front of a bicycle or motorcyclist. If you are a cyclist, always ride in single file. The road belongs to everybody, not just trucks, cars, buses and minibuses. #ShareTheRoad and be especially careful around vulnerable road users.