Media Release by Daylin Mitchell Western Cape Minister of Mobility
A total of 404 speeding offences were recorded in the Western Cape in the week 11 – 17 July 2022. This is almost double the number of speeding offences recorded in the province last week.
I want to send a stern warning to all drivers who are speeding and those who are not complying with the rules of the road. I want to caution drivers and all road-users to keep within the speed limit.
Speeding is a serious concern. The faster you drive, the less time you have to respond to an emergency and the more space you need to stop to avoid a crash. Speeding is irresponsible and dangerous.
If you are a motorist, show consideration for pedestrians. Pedestrians are almost always killed in collisions with vehicles travelling more than 60km per hour. Slowing down will give you more time to avoid pedestrians in the road. If you are travelling more slowly and you collide with a pedestrian, the pedestrian is more likely to survive. Pedestrians, likewise, are cautioned to only cross the road at formal road crossings.
I urge everyone to play a role in improving road safety for pedestrians, cyclists, passengers and drivers. I encourage motorists to be vigilant on the road, and pedestrians to make themselves visible to motorists, especially at night and in the early morning.
Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services implemented a total of 175 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check point and speed control operations across the province in the week under review, and 30 452 vehicles were stopped and checked.
7 987 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness. Twenty-three vehicles were impounded and 39 were discontinued for unroadworthiness.
The highest speeds recorded this week were as follows:
- 167 km/h in a 120 km/h zone
- 161 km/h in a 100 km/h zone
- 124 km/h in a 80 km/h zone
- 94 km/h in a 60 km/h zone
National Road Traffic Act and Criminal Procedure Act
A total of 59 arrests were made for the following offences:
- 41 x driving under the influence of alcohol.
- 5 x speeding.
- 2 x reckless and negligent driving.
- 3 x goods overloading.
- 3 x possession of fraudulent documentation.
- 2 x failing to furnish information.
- 1 x bribery.
- 1 x driving a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent.
- 1 x operating an unroadworthy motor vehicle.
Fatalities recorded between 11 to 17 July 2022
A total of 29 crashes occurred in the reporting period, and 30 fatalities were recorded:
- 9 x drivers.
- 1 x fell off vehicle.
- 1 x cyclist.
- 1 x motorcyclist.
- 4 x passengers.
- 14 x pedestrians.
Never speed. Speeding is especially risky when visibility is poor and when roads are wet. 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.
Media Queries:
Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka
Spokesperson for Minister Daylin Mitchell
Cell: 082 953 0026
Email: Ntomboxolo.Makoba-Somdaka@westerncape.gov.za