Results of Provincial Traffic Services traffic operations from 31 October 2022 to 6 November 2022
The Safely Home theme for November is pedestrian safety. This week, 14 people killed on our roads were pedestrians.
Pedestrians are reminded to:
- stay away from freeways and busy roads, especially at night, and especially after consuming alcohol
- always wear high visibility clothing, particularly in the evening and in bad weather
- walk in groups when possible
A high percentage of pedestrians killed on the road 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 higher BAC than females. Young males 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.
Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services implemented a total of 219 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check point and speed control operations across the province in the week of 31 October to 6 November 2022, and 33 000 vehicles were stopped and checked. A total of 9 694 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness.
A total of 317 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 more than 60km/ hour. Slowing down gives drivers more time to avoid to pedestrians in the road. The slower one drivers, the more likely the pedestrian is to survive in a collision.
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
- 119 km/h in an 80 km/h zone
- 104 km/h in a 60 km/h zone
Eighteen vehicles were impounded and 142 were discontinued for unroadworthiness.
National Road Traffic Act and Criminal Procedure Act
A total of 78 arrests were made for the following offences:
- 63 x driving under the influence of alcohol.
- 1 x reckless and negligent driving.
- 2 x goods overloading.
- 6 x possession of fraudulent documentation.
- 1 x bribery.
- 1 x possession of protected flora.
- 2 x crimen injuria.
- 1 x assault of a traffic officer.
- 1 x driving or riding a motor vehicle without owner’s consent.
Fatalities recorded between 31 October to 6 November 2022
A total of 34 crashes occurred in the reporting period, and 39 fatalities were recorded:
- 14 x drivers.
- 3 x motorcyclists.
- 8 x passengers.
- 14 x pedestrians.
RSM highlights during October Transport Month
The Department of Transport and Public Works Directorate: Road Safety Management (RSM) executed more than 60 activities during October Transport Month. These activities ranged from conducting learner transport interventions, presenting the Learner Licence Education Programme, holding road safety talks, implementing activities for the Scholar Patrol Programme, conducting public transport interventions which focused on passenger safety, the overloading of vehicles, seatbelt compliance, and distracted driving, as well as freight vehicle safety and fatigue management awareness-raising interventions.
On 2 October 2022, an integrated provincial launch event took place on the R27 close to Yzerfontein. Provincial Minister of Mobility Daylin Mitchell was in attendance, as well as representatives of Provincial Traffic, Road Safety Management, and the South African Police Service. Acting Premier Anton Bredell also attended the event.
On 13 October Provincial Minister Mitchell and RSM staff launched a Junior Traffic Training Centre (JTTC) at the Riviersonderend Combined School. He launched another JTTC at an early childhood development centre on 25 October in Clanwilliam.
Two motorcycle awareness events took place during the month. On 22 October RSM staff, Provincial Traffic, Traffic Training and Development, Emergency Medical Services, and Breedevallei Municipality collaborated with the Motorcyclists’ Association of the Western Cape to host a motorcycle safety awareness demonstration at the Mountain Mill Mall in Worcester. About 50 motorcyclists participated. RSM staff also conducted safety awareness sessions at the annual Nomad Buffalo Rally that was held from 28 to 30 October at Hartenbos in the Garden Route District.
RSM staff and Provincial Minister Mitchell held a driver awareness intervention on 24 October at the Hermanus Taxi Rank. Road safety education interventions were held at several hazardous locations for pedestrians in Strand and at Klawer on the N7 in the West Coast District.
To close October Transport Month, Provincial Minister Mitchell attended an integrated event at the weighbridge in Moorreesburg on the N7 on 30 October 2022.
Media enquiries
Jandre Bakker
Deputy Director: Departmental Communication
Department of Transport and Public Works