Our Provincial Traffic Officers arrested 108 people on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol this week. Even small amounts of alcohol can affect your judgement. So, please never drink and drive. If you plan to drink, find a safer way to get home. 

Tragically, over the past week and long weekend, 17 pedestrians and 14 passengers lost their lives in traffic crashes. 

If you are a pedestrian, make sure you wear visible clothing, especially at night and when visibility is poor. Don’t walk under the influence along any road. Please find a safer way to get home. 

If you are driving, always buckle up and ensure that everyone else in your vehicle is buckled up, even on short trips!

To keep small children safe, they must be secured in an age-appropriate harness. In a crash, a child who is not secured in an age-appropriate harness is more likely to be ejected from the vehicle and die or be seriously injured A serious injury can be life-changing – it may leave a child with a temporary or permanent disability. An unsecured child can also become a danger to other people inside the vehicle in a crash.

We are urging you to take care on the roads and remember the simple actions that will keep you and others safe this festive season.

Results from WC Provincial Traffic Services – 18 to 26 December 2023

Provincial Traffic Inspectors conducted 320 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check points and speed control operations; and stopped and checked 45 302 vehicles across the Western Cape.

A total of 14 993 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness. Thirty-one vehicles were impounded and 234 were discontinued for being unroadworthy.

A total of 374 speeding offences were recorded, with the following highest speeds:
• 184km/h in a 120km/h zone
• 144km/h in a 100km/h zone 
• 114km/h in an 80km/h zone
• 104km/h in a 70km/h zone
• 104km/h in a 60km/h zone

A total of 172 arrests were made for the following offences:
• 108 x driving under the influence of alcohol
• 14 x speeding
• 17 x reckless and negligent driving 
• 1 x goods overloading
• 20 x possession of fraudulent documentation
• 2 x resisting arrest
• 2 x obstructing or hindering an authorised officer in the execution of his or her duty
• 2 x failure to furnish information
• 1 x crimen injuria
• 1 x impersonating an authorised officer
• 1 x possession of abalone
• 1 x possession of crayfish tails
• 2 x possession of an illegal substance

A total of 31 crashes and 37 fatalities were recorded, including: 
• 4 x drivers
• 2 x motorcyclists
• 14 x passengers
• 17 x pedestrians