GEORGE NEWS - No fatalities were recorded on roads in and around George over the Easter long weekend.
The Western Cape overall saw a 30,5% reduction in traffic fatalities compared with last year, with 26 lives lost on the province's roads.
However, this is not the picture painted for the rest of the country, as 225 lives were lost countrywide in 185 car crashes. This is 59 more than last year.
Six provinces recorded increases in road fatalities, with the exception of the Western Cape, Mpumalanga and North West.
In George, fines to the value of R380 000 were handed out by local traffic officials, while more than 1 000 speeding fines were issued by means of mobile speed law enforcement.
Fines were physically handed out for driving without a valid driver's licence, driving without seatbelts, vehicles not being roadworthy, speaking on a cellphone while driving, driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, overloading and other offences.
A total of 3 804 vehicles were stopped and checked for roadworthiness by provincial traffic officers in the George area and seven drunk drivers were arrested with the highest reading 1,41mg/1 000ml.
Traffic officers also promoted visibility by patrolling 10km apart between strategic points within their service area.
Integrated operations brought together the work of Western Cape Traffic Law Enforcement and their counterparts in the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape, the South African Police Service, municipal traffic services and other authorities.
Across the province, 237 integrated roadblocks were implemented where 36 803 vehicles were stopped and checked. A total of 11 078 fines were issued for various traffic violations. Forty-eight vehicles were impounded and 149 were discontinued for not being roadworthy.
Western Cape Minister of Mobility Ricardo Mackenzie visited some of the integrated roadblocks that were implemented throughout the province.
Arrests
A total of 127 arrests were made for, among others, speeding, driving under the influence, reckless and negligent driving, overloading, and the possession of fraudulent documentation.
Integrated roadblocks were held across George and surrounds over the Easter weekend. Some of these roadblocks are still active.
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