Results of Provincial Traffic Services traffic operations from 2 to 7 May 2023

11 May 2023

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News Road safety Roads Safety Transport WCMD

The Safely Home road safety theme for May is distracted driving.

Taking your eyes off the road for any reason while you are driving is extremely dangerous. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of crashes that can kill people or leave them seriously injured. Never look away to answer a call, check a message or adjust the music – it’s like driving with your eyes closed. Even talking, eating or drinking can take your attention away from driving safely. No text or call is worth risking your life or the life of others – it can wait.

Distracted pedestrians are a danger to themselves to and to other people on the road. Only walk where it is safe to do so. Wear visible clothing, especially at night. Motorists can only avoid you if they can see you. When you cross a road, pay careful attention to the traffic. Take off your earphones or headphones so that you can hear oncoming traffic. If you have been drinking, avoid walking near a road. Find a safer way to get home.

Fifty-seven motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol this week. Never drink and drive. Even small amounts of alcohol can affect your judgement as a driver or a cyclist. Do not drive or cycle when you have been drinking. Make other arrangements to get home. If you are stopped by a traffic law enforcement officer and the officer suspects that you are over the legal limit, you will be arrested. If you are convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol, you will have a criminal record.

Five motorists were arrested this week for speeding and 340 speeding offences were recorded. Never speed. Speeding drivers risk the lives of the people in their vehicles, and the lives of others. It is best to travel slowly and carefully. It’s the only way that you will be able to react to emergencies in time. If a vehicle travelling at only 60km/h crashes, a 55kg person without a seatbelt will experience an impact of over 19 000kg! With a seatbelt, the force will be about 3 800kg.

Provincial Traffic Services implemented a total of 244 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check point and speed control operations across the Western Cape in the week of 2 to 7 May 2023, and 29 965 vehicles were stopped and checked. A total of 9 754 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness.

A total of 340 speeding offences were recorded. The highest speeds recorded this week were as follows:

168km/h in a 120km/h zone
150km/h in a 100km/h zone
134km/h in a 90km/h zone
120km/h in an 80km/h zone
109km/h in a 70km/h zone
79km/h in a 60km/h zone

Twenty-eight vehicles were impounded and 188 were discontinued for unroadworthiness.

Arrests

A total of 77 arrests were made for the following offences:

57 x driving under the influence of alcohol.
5 x speeding.
2 x reckless and negligent driving.
1 x goods overloading.
8 x possession of fraudulent documentation.
1 x undocumented person.
1 x obstructing or hindering an authorised officer in the execution of his/ her duty.
1 x threatening or suggesting use of violence against a traffic officer.
1 x failing to comply with a lawful order from an authorised officer.

Fatalities recorded between 2 to 7 May 2023

A total of 15 crashes occurred in the reporting period, and 15 fatalities were recorded:

1 x driver.
1 x cyclist.
2 x passengers.
11 x pedestrians.

Media enquiries

Jandre Bakker
Head of Communication Email: jandre.bakker@westerncape.gov.za