77 serious road-related arrests were made last week, as the Western Cape Mobility Department embarked on high-visibility operations, especially over the long weekend.  

The department said 36,000 vehicles were stopped between 28 April and 3 May. 

Driving under the influence, again, contributed to the majority of the arrests made, with 62 motorists taken into custody for this.  

“In Beaufort West on Sunday, a man was arrested for driving under the influence and resisting arrest. In Vredenburg on Friday, another motorist was arrested for driving under the influence and reckless and negligent driving after failing to stop and attempting to flee, leading to a high-speed chase before being apprehended,” said the department.  

Outside of drunk driving, reckless motorist behaviour and speeding are additional concerns for the department. It noted that another motorist was arrested near Beaufort West for driving at 164 km/h in a 120 km/h zone. 

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Other arrests were made for fraudulent documentation. 

Ahead of last week’s operation, Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku highlighted that traffic officers are facing continued hostility from motorists. Following the most recent operation, the department noted incidents in which traffic officers were threatened or bribed.  

“A taxi driver was arrested at the Rawsonville weighbridge on Sunday for allegedly threatening a traffic officer, while another man in Beaufort West on Thursday was arrested for attempting to induce an officer to act unlawfully.” 

Meanwhile, the reporting period also saw the deaths of 22 road users, in 20 crashes across the province. Pedestrians made up the highest number of fatalities, at 12, while eight passengers, one cyclist and one motorcyclist were also killed on the roads. 

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“Traffic officers are working hard to protect lives, and enforcement will remain firm to ensure those who endanger others are held accountable. Residents and visitors are urged to obey the rules of the road, avoid driving under the influence, and remain alert, especially in areas with high pedestrian activity,” said the department.