I am extremely concerned about the spate of traffic fatalities we have seen in the last two weeks due to various road crashes in the Western Cape. We need all road users to take the necessary safety precautions while traveling this festive season to prevent more senseless deaths during a holiday period that should be focused on enjoying precious time off with family and friends. 

Our Provincial Traffic Law Enforcement is out in full force with close to 600 Provincial Traffic Officers deployed across the Western Cape working collaboratively with other enforcement agencies. Each district has a comprehensive programme of daily operations. These include patrolling routes; enforcing speed limits; checking vehicle and driver safety; detecting drunk or tired drivers, passenger overloading, and seat belt usage.

On top of these daily operations, our teams are conducting inter-provincial corridor operations with our neighbouring provinces; pedestrian awareness interventions; driver awareness interventions focusing on alcohol for public transport operators; and integrated fatigue operations on key routes.

All these road safety efforts are aimed at helping our residents and visitors arrive safely home. We are doing our part. We are calling on all road users to join us and do their part. The required precautions are not complicated, but they do require discipline. 

We must support and challenge each other to make the effort that can make a difference between life and death. Check your vehicle’s roadworthiness, buckle up and keep children safely restrained, do not speed, do not drink and drive, and take rest breaks every 200km.

Results from WC Provincial Traffic Services – 4 to 10 December 2023

Provincial Traffic Inspectors conducted 298 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check points and speed control operations; and stopped and checked 34 709 vehicles across the Western Cape.

A total of 10 041 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness. Nineteen vehicles were impounded and 111 were discontinued for being found to be unroadworthy.

A total of 240 speeding offences were recorded, with the following highest speeds:
• 166km/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; and
• 94km/h in a 60km/h zone.

A total of 49 arrests were made for the following offences:
• 25 x driving under the influence of alcohol;
• 2 x speeding;
• 4 x reckless and negligent driving; 
• 6 x goods overloading;
• 8 x possession of fraudulent documentation;
• 1 x undocumented persons;
• 1 x fail to furnish information;
• 1 x in possession of illegal substance; and
• 1 x obstructing or hindering an authorised officer in the execution of his or her duty.   

A total of 20 crashes occurred in the reporting period, and 21 fatalities were recorded, including: 
• 5 x drivers;
• 4 x passengers; and
• 12 x pedestrians.