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Western Cape traffic officials have arrested 82 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol, while 17 crashes were reported and 18 deaths recorded from last Monday to Sunday.
This was revealed by the provincial MEC for Mobility, Ricardo Mackenzie, who said he was concerned that motorists were still driving after they'd been drinking.
"Driving under the influence of alcohol is dangerous for you, your family and other road users. If our provincial traffic officers were not on the roads, these individuals could have caused accidents and, sadly, could have killed somebody," said Mackenzie.
He said he was dismayed by the number of people that have been arrested on the roads, under the influence of alcohol.
"It is sad that people are still not abiding by the basic rules of the roads," said Mackenzie.
On Monday, Mackenzie said provincial traffic officers conducted 275 integrated roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints and speed control operations.
In one week [13 May to 19 May], officers stopped and checked 32 044 vehicles across the Western Cape.
A total of 8 415 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness.
Thirteen vehicles were impounded, and 129 were discontinued for being unroadworthy.
The department said 249 speeding offences were recorded, and 99 arrests were made for the following offences:
- 82 x driving under the influence of alcohol
- 2 x speeding
- 5 x reckless and negligent driving
- 1 x goods overloading
- 6 x possession of fraudulent documentation
- 1 x failing to furnish information
- 1 x failing to comply with a lawful order
- 1 x possession of an illegal substance
