The Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services recorded 271 speeding offences across the province, arrested 34 people for driving under the influence of alcohol and 21 people lost their lives in crashes last week.

Speeding is irresponsible and dangerous. Driving under the influence increases the likelihood and the severity of a crash.

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. Even small amounts of alcohol can affect your judgement and lead to a crash. Any kind of crash can be a life-changing event for you and for everyone else who is involved.

I plead with all motorists to slow down when they see pedestrians on the road. Never drink and drive. Never exceed the speed limit.

The highest speeds recorded this week were as follows:

• 168 km/h in a 120 km/h zone
• 147 km/h in a 100 km/h zone
• 104 km/h in a 90 km/h zone
• 125 km/h in an 80 km/h zone
• 94 km/h in a 60 km/h zone
• 64 km/h in a 40 km/h zone

In the week under review, the Provincial Traffic Services implemented a total of 119 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check point and speed control operations, and 24 613 vehicles were stopped and checked across the province.

A total 6 747 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness. Thirteen vehicles were impounded and 74 were discontinued for unroadworthiness.

National Road Traffic Act and Criminal Procedure Act

A total of 50 arrests were made for the following offences:

• 34 x driving under the influence of alcohol.
• 6 x speeding.
• 1 x reckless and negligent driving.
• 4 x possession of fraudulent documentation.
• 2 x pedestrian who is a source of danger.
• 1 x failing to comply with a lawful order from an authorised officer.
• 1 x wilfully preventing, hindering or interfering with the flow of traffic.
• 1 x impersonating an authorised officer/ peace officer.

Fatalities recorded between 10 and 14 August 2022

A total of 21 crashes occurred in the reporting period, and 21 fatalities were recorded:

• 11 x drivers.
• 2 x passengers.
• 8 x pedestrians.

It won’t kill you to slow down.

The impact forces of crashes on people are massive. If a vehicle travelling at only 60km/h crashes, for a person who weighs 55kg without a seatbelt, it will feel like being hit with a force of 19 500kg! If the person is wearing a seatbelt, the impact force will still be a massive 3 800kg. At 90km/h, the impact force on the same person will be 43 800kg without a seatbelt, and over 8 700kg with a seatbelt. At 120km/h, the force on this 55kg person will be 77 800kg without a seatbelt, and 15 500kg with a seatbelt.

According to a study conducted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the cost of crashes in 2015 was almost R143bn – equivalent to 3.4% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in that year, not including the infrastructure costs. Human casualty costs made up 69.35% of the R143bn total; incident costs, 14.9%; and vehicle repair costs, 15.8%.

Human casualty costs comprise hospital costs, emergency medical service costs, funeral costs, and lost earnings through death and disability. Incident costs include on-scene costs (e.g., police and traffic officials having to attend the scene), tow truck costs, and the cost of congestion and delays to other traffic. Vehicle damage costs include the costs of repairing, replacing, and having to rent a vehicle.

Crashes have tremendous socio-economic impacts. Crash victims may be disabled, lose income or lose jobs. Losing a breadwinner could mean living in poverty, losing a parent, or losing a home. Losing a loved one could mean psychological trauma and disruption to family life.

Never drink and drive. Never drink and walk near a road. If you have been drinking, make other arrangements to get home. If you are stopped by a traffic law enforcement officer and the officer suspects that you are over the legal limit, you will be arrested. If you are convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol, you will have a criminal record.

Make sure that you can see other road users and that they can see you in the rain, mist and fog of winter. Keep a safe following distance when visibility is poor, especially when the road is wet. Take careful note of pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

#ItWontKillYouToSlowDown.

Media Queries:           

Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka

Spokesperson for Minister Daylin Mitchell

Cell: 082 953 0026

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