Results of Provincial Traffic Services traffic operations from 9 to 15 January 2023

17 January 2023 | by

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The Safely Home theme for January is Alcohol and Roads Don’t Mix. This week, 74 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence. Twenty people died in crashes, of which five were pedestrians.

“Consuming alcohol, even in small amounts, and then walking, cycling or driving is very dangerous” said Acting Provincial Minister of Mobility Ivan Meyer. “If you drive under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating drugs you can be arrested. If you are convicted, you will have a criminal record. This could affect your life and the lives of all of your dependants for an indefinite period”, he added.

“Alcohol impairs your ability to see what is happening around you on the road, and it slows down your reactions. A moment of inattention could lead to a lifetime of regret. Never drink and drive”, Meyer said.

Provincial Traffic Services implemented a total of 324 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check point and speed control operations across the Western Cape in the week of 9 to 15 January 2023, and 50 503 vehicles were stopped and checked. A total of 17 557 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness.

A total of 318 speeding offences were recorded. If you are a motorist, show consideration for pedestrians wherever they are. Pedestrians are almost always killed in collisions with vehicles travelling faster than 60km/hour. Slowing down will give you more time to avoid to pedestrians in the road. Be particularly careful when you come across child pedestrians. They may behave unpredictably and may struggle to understand how quickly a vehicle is moving. Because children are short, in a collision, they are likely to be hit in the head and chest, and are therefore more likely to be killed.

The highest speeds recorded this week were as follows:

167 km/h in a 120 km/h zone
134 km/h in a 100 km/h zone
124 km/h in an 80 km/h zone
89 km/h in a 60 km/h zone

Thirty-three vehicles were impounded and 80 were discontinued for unroadworthiness.

National Road Traffic Act and Criminal Procedure Act

A total of 130 arrests were made for the following offences:

74 x driving under the influence of alcohol.
11 x reckless and negligent driving.
1 x goods overloading.
1 x speeding.
36 x possession of fraudulent documentation.
2 x possession of stolen vehicle.
1 x obstructing or hindering an authorised officer in the execution of his/ her duty.
3 x bribery.
1 x operating an unroadworthy vehicle.

Fatalities recorded between 9 to 15 January 2023

A total of 16 crashes occurred in the reporting period, and 20 fatalities were recorded:

4 x drivers.
1 x motorcyclist.
10 x passengers.
5 x pedestrians.

#BoozeFreeRoads. Alcohol and roads don’t mix.

Media Enquiries:
Jandre Bakker
Deputy Director: Departmental Communication
Department of Transport and Public Works
Email: Jandre.Bakker@westerncape.gov.za