The Western Cape Mobility Department has recorded a 14% drop in road traffic deaths over the Easter period this year. Mobility MEC Isaac Silkeu says this is thanks to increased visible traffic policing and stricter enforcement.
Traffic officers had a busy week, stopping and checking 44,555 vehicles and making 149 arrests, including 108 for driving under the influence. Sadly, 19 people lost their lives on the province’s roads, compared to 22 during the same period last year.
“While this is an improvement, the Western Cape Government remains deeply concerned that pedestrians and passengers remain the most vulnerable road users, accounting for the vast majority of fatalities,” added MEC Sileku
Officers also reportedly came across incidents of corruption after two drivers were arrested in Citrusdal and Worcester on Saturday and Sunday for allegedly attempting to bribe traffic officers.
In a separate incident, a driver was arrested near Laingsburg on Saturday for allegedly assaulting a traffic officer, driving under the influence, failing to provide his name and address, and resisting arrest.
Sileku says drunk driving, bribing and assaulting traffic officers, and allowing unlicensed drivers to operate minibus taxis carrying passengers remain a serious concern.
During Easter operations, a total of 108 drivers were arrested, with the highest alcohol reading recorded in Vredendal at 1.46 mg/l, more than five times the legal limit. Traffic officers reportedly also removed 293 unroadworthy vehicles from the roads and identified 1,778 unlicensed vehicles.
“The decrease in fatalities is an encouraging result and shows that stronger enforcement by our traffic officers and better behaviour by road users are making a difference. This includes a 36.1% drop in driving under the influence of alcohol arrests,” added Sileku
Although total arrests dropped by 29%, the Western Cape Government warned that speeding, reckless and negligent driving, not wearing seatbelts, and driving or walking under the influence of alcohol remain major risks.
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