![A traffic officer inspects a minibus taxi in Worcester this week. A traffic officer inspects a minibus taxi in Worcester this week.](https://www.westerncape.gov.za/sites/www.westerncape.gov.za/files/a_traffic_officer_inspects_a_minibus_taxi_in_worcester_this_week.jpg)
Provincial Traffic Services arrested nine motorists this week for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol. Traffic officers arrested a total of 70 drunken drivers in the first two weeks of January.
Since Monday, 11 January 2016, traffic officers have stopped a total of 16 638 vehicles in roadblocks across the province. Alcohol breath-testing was performed on 1 937 motorists. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in Knysna. At 0.78 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is three times the legal limit of 0.24 mg/ 1 000 ml.
Details of drunken driving arrests:
A total of nine vehicles were impounded for being unlicensed and/ or un-roadworthy. The licences of 27 vehicles were suspended until they have been certified as roadworthy and owners have renewed their vehicle licences.
The largest numbers of suspended vehicles (nine) was recorded in the Somerset West service area.
A total of 3 363 vehicles were screened for speeding and 532 speeding offences were recorded. Speeding fines worth R52 400 were issued. A total of 1 690 vehicles were stopped in Average Speed Over Distance (ASOD) traffic law enforcement operations and 19 speeding offences were recorded.
The highest speeds were recorded on the N1 in the Brackenfell service area (175 km/h in a 120 km/h zone), on the R27 in the Vredendal service area (133 km/h in a 100 km/h zone), on the N2 in the Knysna service area (118 km/h in an 80 km/h zone) and on the R62 in the Oudtshoorn service area (91 km/h in a 60 km/h zone). These drivers face heavy fines and will appear in court soon.
Another seven arrests were made – two in connection minibus taxi/ public transport permit-related offences in Brackenfell and Knysna, two for negligent driving in Worcester and Laingsburg, one in connection with a vehicle impoundment in George, one in connection with false documentation in George, and one for excessive speed (110km/h in an 80km/h zone) in Vredenburg.
The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
Breakdown of fines issued for various traffic violations
Traffic centre | Driver-related offences and fines (safety belt offences, overloading, invalid documentation and illegal use of cellphone) | Vehicle-related offences and fines (vehicle licence, brakes, lights, tyres, number plates) |
Somerset West | 390 totalling R321 300 | 93 totalling R186 850 |
Vredenburg | 33 totalling R27 650 | 53 totalling R39 600 |
Vredendal | 80 totalling R66 000 | 40 totalling R17 900 |
Worcester | 208 totalling R222 000 | 57 totalling R37 200 |
Swellendam | 65 totalling R61 500 | 32 totalling R14 400 |
Mossel Bay | 61 totalling R62 000 | 25 totalling R11 500 |
Oudtshoorn | 15 totalling R16 900 | 3 totalling R1 800 |
Beaufort West | 202 totalling R256 800 | 150 totalling R83 600 |
Caledon | 101 totalling R114 000 | 82 totalling R46 700 |
Knysna | 47 totalling R51 200 | 13 totalling R4 600 |
George | 138 totalling R164 500 | 52 totalling R5 900 |
Brackenfell | 129 totalling R167 100 | 45 totalling R25 650 |
Laingsburg | 117 totalling R157 300 | 78 totalling R39 500 |
Help us to create booze-free roads. The simple fact is that alcohol and roads don’t mix. Drunk drivers put their own lives and those of their passengers in danger, as well as the lives of other road users. By taking the decision not to drink and drive, and sharing your decision with your family and friends, you can influence the behaviour of others in a positive way.
Motorists can make themselves and others safer by buckling up front and back at all times, driving carefully and considerately, and always remaining within the speed limit.
You can follow the Department of Transport and Public Works on Twitter: @WCGovTPW