Fall in Easter weekend road deaths in W Cape
ROAD deaths in the province dropped to 25 during the Easter long weekend compared with 38 deaths in Easter 2019, according to the Western Cape Transport Department.
The latest statistics released yesterday by Transport and Public Works MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela showed that 13 fewer people died on the province’s roads during the Easter period than in 2019, with pedestrian deaths remaining the leading cause of fatalities.
The department said it compared this year’s Easter to 2019, as it had been a normal Easter. “Last year’s Easter (2020) was during the hard lockdown.”
Madikizela said as his department continued to strive daily to promote consistency and the rule of law in its traffic law enforcement response, no exceptions were made for motorists who displayed lawlessness and who disobeyed the basic safety principles while on the roads.
Madikizela said since he launched the Easter Safety plan last week, the provincial Traffic Services implemented a total of 240 integrated roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints and speed control operations across the province in the week of April 1 to 5, and 19 707 vehicles were stopped and checked.
He said more than 2 000 speeding offences were recorded and 6 145 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness, amounting to R4 171 250.
Madikizela said at least 13 vehicles were impounded and 68 were discontinued for unroadworthiness.
The highest speed recorded had been 183km/h in a 120km/h zone.
According to the statistics, 23 crashes occurred in the reporting period, and 25 fatalities were recorded: eight drivers, two motorcyclists, two passengers and 13 pedestrians.
At least 22 arrests were made – seven for driving under the influence of alcohol, five for fraudulent documentation, four for speeding, five for reckless and negligent driving, and one for bribery.
ANC provincial spokesperson on transport Lulama Mvimbi said his party always welcomed the decrease in road deaths, particularly during holidays.
Mvimbi said they wanted to reach a stage where road deaths could be zero, and were aware of the fact that the Covid-19 regulations – particularly those related to the selling and consumption of alcohol – played a role in the decreased number of fatalities.
The City’s Safety and Security Mayco member, JP Smith, said traffic officers arrested 100 suspects, including 43 for driving under the influence of alcohol, and 36 for reckless and negligent driving last week.
Smith said an additional 21 motorists were arrested on various other charges, and officers also impounded 196 vehicles and 96 cellphones, and issued 58 475 fines.
He said in terms of speed enforcement, the highest speed recorded was 213km/h on Kromboom Parkway in Rondebosch (80km/h zone).
“These speeds are an indication of the reckless and negligent behaviour our officers and the law-abiding public have to contend with,” said Smith.
He said it was utterly despicable and totally unacceptable, and there was no excuse for it.