106 arrested on suspicion of drunk driving

15 January 2024 | by

Tags:

In the past week, our Provincial Traffic Officers arrested 106 people on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and, once again, over 50% of traffic fatalities were pedestrians (14 out of the 25 people who lost their lives in traffic crashes).

I personally witnessed one of the suspected drunk drivers going straight through a roadblock, driving onto a pavement, and subsequently being arrested. This irresponsible and reckless behaviour puts all other road users at risk.

Our Officers have been extremely busy, stopping and checking over 50,000 vehicles across the province. In addition to making 157 arrests for various offences, they issued 17,561 fines, impounded 47 vehicles, and took 229 vehicles off the roads permanently.

As schools reopen this week and many people return to work, I urge all road users to be safe and responsible while travelling. There are increased volumes of traffic on our roads and we often see especially poor driving behaviour at this time of the year.

We need everyone to take extra care, be patient, and abide by the rules of the road for their own safety and the safety of those around them. Please buckle up, don't drink and drive, don't speed, take regular rest breaks, and don't take unnecessary risks! It's not worth it.

Results from WC Provincial Traffic Services – 8 to 14 January 2024

Provincial Traffic Officers conducted 337 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check points and speed control operations; and stopped and checked 53 911 vehicles across the Western Cape.

A total of 17 561 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness. Forty-seven vehicles were impounded and 229 were discontinued for being unroadworthy.

A total of 333 speeding offences were recorded, with the following highest speeds:

172km/h in a 120km/h zone
139km/h in a 100km/h zone
109Km/h in an 80km/h zone
114km/h in a 70km/h zone
99km/h in a 60km/h zone

A total of 157 arrests were made for the following offences:

106 x driving under the influence of alcohol
3 x speeding
7 x reckless and negligent driving
1 x goods overloading
16 x possession of fraudulent documentation
4 x inducing any authorised officer or peace officer to act in conﬂict with his/her duty
1 x failing to furnish information
2 x obstructing or hindering an authorised officer in the execution of his or her duty
11 x undocumented persons
1 x defeating the ends of justice
2 x possession of illegal substance
1 x possession of stolen vehicle
1 x possession of abalone
1 x possession of firearm

A total of 23 crashes and 25 fatalities were recorded, including:

4 x drivers
7 x passengers
14 x pedestrians

-ENDS-

MEDIA QUERIES:

Rebecca Campbell

Spokesperson for Minister Ricardo Mackenzie

076 783 2583 or Rebecca.Campbell@westerncape.gov.za