Results of Provincial Traffic Services traffic operations - 16 to 22 January 2023

The Safely Home theme for January is Alcohol and Roads Don’t Mix. This week, 86 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence. Eight pedestrians were killed in crashes.

“Remember that consuming alcohol, even in small amounts, and then walking, cycling or driving is very dangerous”, said Acting Provincial Minister of Mobility Dr Ivan Meyer. “Blood alcohol concentration tests on the bodies of people killed in road crashes show that, whether you are a pedestrian, cyclist or driver, your risk of dying in a road crash is higher if you have been drinking”, he added. “Alcohol impairs your ability to see and respond to what is around you on the road. In addition, you are more likely to speed and less likely to wear a seatbelt if you have been drinking.”

Provincial Traffic Services implemented a total of 352 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check point and speed control operations across the Western Cape in the week of 16 to 22 January 2023, and 39 258 vehicles were stopped and checked. A total of 12 701 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness.

A total of 335 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. If you are travelling more slowly and you collide with a pedestrian, the pedestrian is more likely to survive. 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”, said Dr Meyer.

The highest speeds recorded this week were as follows:

• 160 km/h in a 120 km/h zone
• 144 km/h in a 100 km/h zone
• 124 km/h in an 80 km/h zone
• 104 km/h in a 60 km/h zone

Thirty-five vehicles were impounded and 146 were discontinued for unroadworthiness.

Arrests

A total of 116 arrests were made for the following offences:

• 86 x driving under the influence of alcohol.
• 1 x speeding.
• 4 x reckless and negligent driving.
• 3 x goods overloading.
• 10 x possession of fraudulent documentation.
• 5 x bribery.
• 2 x obstructing or hindering an authorised officer in the execution of his/ her duty.
• 1 x threatening/ suggesting use of violence against a traffic officer.
• 1 x failing to furnish information.
• 1 x assault.
• 1 x resisting arrest.
• 1 x possession of abalone.

Fatalities recorded between 16 to 22 January 2023

A total of 13 crashes occurred in the reporting period, and 15 fatalities were recorded:

• 2 x drivers.
• 2 x motorcyclists.
• 3 x passengers.
• 8 x pedestrians.

#BoozeFreeRoads. Alcohol and roads don’t mix.