Media Release by Daylin Mitchell Western Cape Minister of Mobility
The Western Cape has enough blood testing kits to arrest drunk drivers and is not affected by the reported shortage of drunk driving testing kits across the country. The province has enough blood testing kits to get through the festive season till April 2023.
The province yesterday received its stock and will continue executing alcohol related law enforcement as an everyday focus and fulfil the national Minister’s Phuza weekend operations all year round.
The kits received will assist Provincial Traffic Services to successfully continue to conduct drinking and driving operations across the province. The drawing of a blood sample will be for prosecutorial purposes, and we will continue with the same practice over the festive period to arrest motorists who feel they have the liberty to drive drunk and show blatant disregard for any other innocent road user.
I want to send a stern warning to all drivers who are driving under the influence of alcohol, that the law will take its course and there will be repercussions. Drunk drivers be warned. In the Western Cape we have a zero tolerance policy on drunk driving.
Provincial Traffic Services last week arrested 81 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol in the week of 21 to 27 November 2022. If you are going out and consume alcohol, please get a designated driver or get a lift home.
There is no excuse for drunk driving. The safety of all which is fundamental for the dignity of the province’s citizens is my top priority.
A high percentage of pedestrians killed on the road in earlier years who were tested for alcohol had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of more than 0.2g per 100ml of blood, which is four times the legal limit for drivers. Male pedestrian fatalities are more likely to have a high BAC than females. Young men are the category of pedestrian most likely to die after drinking, with the highest risk being those aged 20–29 years. More than three times as many pedestrians die on Saturdays than on Wednesdays.
Provincial Traffic Services implemented a total of 225 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check point and speed control operations across the province, and 28 910 vehicles were stopped and checked. A total of 9 320 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness in the week under review.
A total of 221 speeding offences were recorded.
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
- 90 km/h in a 60 km/h zone
Thirteen vehicles were impounded and 117 were discontinued for unroadworthiness.
A total of 114 arrests were made for the following offences under the National Road Traffic Act and Criminal Procedure Act:
- 81 x driving under the influence of alcohol.
- 2 x speeding.
- 13 x reckless and negligent driving.
- 2 x goods overloading.
- 3 x possession of fraudulent documentation.
- 2 x failing to furnish information.
- 1 x possession of abalone.
- 1 x possession of an illegal substance.
- 2 x assault.
- 1 x resisting arrest.
- 1 x attempted robbery.
- 1 x intimidation.
- 1 x defeating the ends of justice.
- 1 x failing to comply with a lawful order from an authorised officer.
- 1 x operating an unroadworthy vehicle.
- 1 x licensed/ learner driver allowing another person to use his/ her licence.
Fatalities recorded between 21 to 27 November 2022
A total of 23 crashes occurred in the reporting period, and 26 fatalities were recorded:
- 4 x drivers.
- 2 x motorcyclists.
- 1 x cyclist.
- 5 x passengers.
- 14 x pedestrians.
#SafeRoadsForAll #BoozefreeRoads
Media Queries:
Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka
Spokesperson for Minister Daylin Mitchell
Cell: 082 953 0026