Media release by Daylin Mitchell, Western Cape Minister of Mobility
This week, fourteen people killed on our roads were pedestrians.
I urge pedestrians 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 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 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 176 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check point and speed control operations across the province in the week of 14 to 20 November 2022, and 30 345 vehicles were stopped and checked. A total of 9 432 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness. Forty-five motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.
A total of 332 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 will give you more time to avoid to pedestrians on 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.
The highest speeds recorded in the week under review were as follows:
- 168 km/h in a 120 km/h zone
- 149 km/h in a 100 km/h zone
- 125 km/h in an 80 km/h zone
- 94 km/h in a 70 km/h zone
- 99 km/h in a 60 km/h zone
Sixteen vehicles were impounded and 106 were discontinued for unroadworthiness.
National Road Traffic Act and Criminal Procedure Act
A total of 64 arrests were made for the following offences:
- 45 x driving under the influence of alcohol.
- 4 x speeding.
- 5 x reckless and negligent driving.
- 1 x goods overloading.
- 4 x possession of fraudulent documentation.
- 2 x bribery.
- 1 x possession of stolen vehicle.
- 1 x obstructing or hindering an authorised officer in the execution of his/her duty.
- 1 x operating an unroadworthy vehicle
Fatalities recorded between 14 to 20 November 2022
A total of 18 crashes occurred in the reporting period, and 20 fatalities were recorded:
- 1 x driver.
- 1 x motorcyclist.
- 1 x railway pedestrian.
- 3 x passengers.
- 14 x pedestrians.
Media queries:
Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka
Spokesperson for Minister Daylin Mitchell
Cell: 082 953 0026
Email: Ntomboxolo.Makoba-Somdaka@westerncape.gov.za