GEORGE NEWS - Provincial Traffic Services arrested 77 people for serious offences across the Western Cape in the past week.

Between 20 and 27 April, officers stopped more than 40 000 vehicles during high-visibility operations targeting high-risk behaviour on the province’s roads.

Traffic officers also carried out pedestrian safety operations to prevent people from crossing highways where pedestrian bridges were available. A total of 17 individuals were stopped in George, along with 61 in Somerset West, 27 in Caledon, 19 in Brackenfell, 16 in Knysna, 13 in Vredenburg, nine in Vredendal, six in Worcester and two in Swellendam.

In Knysna, another man was arrested on Saturday after refusing to provide a blood or breath specimen when suspected of driving under the influence.

Of those arrested, 58 motorists were charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, including 53 during the payday weekend.

In a separate incident, a motorist travelling towards Cape Town was arrested for excessive speed after being clocked at 163 km/h in a 120 km/h zone on the N1 near Leeu-Gamka on Friday.

A further nine men and one woman were arrested for possession of fraudulent documentation. 

In Grabouw, two drivers were taken into custody on Friday after failing to produce valid documentation.

At the N7 Vissershok Weighbridge on Saturday, a man was arrested for defeating the ends of justice after allegedly failing to stop and continuing at high speed despite repeated attempts by officers to pull him over.

Western Cape Minister of Mobility Isaac Sileku said the high number of drunk driving arrests remained a concern.

“The fact that so many motorists spent the weekend behind bars for drinking and driving shows that too many still choose to put lives at risk. Every arrest may have prevented a crash, injury or death. While our traffic officers continue to enforce the law, road safety starts with personal responsibility. By slowing down and staying sober, we can help protect lives on our roads,” he said.

Tragically, 25 crashes were recorded during the reporting period, resulting in 27 fatalities. Of these, 16 were pedestrians, five passengers, three motorcyclists and three drivers.

During the week, officers issued 11 807 fines for driver and vehicle fitness offences. A total of 21 vehicles were impounded, 176 unroadworthy vehicles were removed from service and 354 speeding offences were recorded.

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