Twenty-three of the 34 people killed in crashes this week were pedestrians. This is a shocking number.

I urge everyone to play a role in improving road safety for pedestrians, cyclists, passengers and drivers. Our Safely Home campaign encourages motorists to be vigilant on the road, and pedestrians to make themselves visible to motorists, especially at night and in the early morning.

Make sure that you never drink and walk near traffic. Find a safer way to get home. Make sure that you wear visible clothing. Motorists cannot avoid you if they cannot see you. Remove your headphones or earphones when you cross a road so that you can hear oncoming traffic. Only cross in designated places, or in places where you can safely cross.

Think carefully about the value of your own life and the lives of others.

Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services implemented a total of 335 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check point and speed control operations across the province in the week of 1 to 9 August 2022, and 46 132 vehicles were stopped and checked.

A total of 471 speeding offences were recorded and 12 341 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness.

Twenty-two vehicles were impounded and 155 were discontinued for unroadworthiness.

Speeding is a serious concern. The faster you drive, the less time you have to respond to an emergency and the more space you need to stop to avoid a crash. Speeding is irresponsible and dangerous. The highest speeds recorded this week were as follows:

• 184 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
• 84 km/h in an 80 km/h zone
• 94 km/h in a 60 km/h zone.

National Road Traffic Act and Criminal Procedure Act

A total of 115 arrests were made for the following offences:

• 84 x driving under the influence of alcohol.
• 6 x speeding.
• 4 x reckless and negligent driving.
• 3 x goods overloading.
• 6 x possession of fraudulent documentation.
• 2 x bribery.
• 1 x possession of an illegal substance (dagga).
• 1 x possession of an illegal substance (Mandrax).
• 1 x possession of a stolen vehicle.
• 1 x possession of stolen goods.
• 1 x obstructing or hindering an authorised officer in the execution of his/ her duty.
• 1 x defeating the ends of justice.
• 1 x operating an unroadworthy vehicle.
• 1 x failing to comply with a lawful order from an authorised officer.
• 1 x failing to furnish information.
• 1 x resisting arrest.

Fatalities recorded between 1 and 9 August 2022

A total of 31 crashes occurred in the reporting period, and 34 fatalities were recorded:

• 5 x drivers.
• 1 x cyclist.
• 1 x motorcyclist.
• 1 x fell off vehicle.
• 3 x passengers.
• 23 x pedestrians.

I urge road users to ensure that they can see other road users and that they can see in the rain, mist and fog of winter, to keep a safe following distance when visibility is poor, especially when the road is wet.

Media Queries:           

Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka

Spokesperson for Minister Daylin Mitchell

Cell: 082 953 0026

Email: Ntomboxolo.Makoba-Somdaka@westerncape.gov.za