It's safe to say: Speed kills

NATIONAL NEWS - Speeding drivers risk killing themselves and are a danger to other road users. According to the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW), this knowledge is always firmly in the minds of their traffic officers when they apprehend speedsters.

"We encourage motorists to slow down and adapt their speed to prevailing weather and road conditions. This will greatly reduce the likelihood of a horrific crash that could result in serious injury or death," says Kenny Africa, DTPW chief director of Traffic Management.

"We will continue to address speeding through awareness campaigns and enforcement activities like the Average Speed Over Distance (Asod) camera enforcement network."

The Asod technology consists of two cameras, positioned a few kilometres apart, which calculates the average speed of all vehicles travelling between the two cameras. Motorists will find these cameras between Aberdeen and Beaufort West, Three Sisters and Beaufort West, Beaufort West and Touws River, on the N27 between Cape Town and Vredenburg, as well as on the N2 between Gordons Bay and Houwhoek Pass.

According to Africa, drivers found to be speeding in Asod areas will be arrested on the spot and kept in custody until they appear in court.

Western Cape traffic chief, Kenny Africa, says speeding is one of the main contributors to the high fatality rate in the province.
Photo: westerncape.gov.za

During the first quarter of 2019, provincial traffic officers arrested 23 drivers for excessive speed. The highest speed recorded in this period was 208km/h in a 120km/h zone on the N1 in the Brackenfell service area. In addition, a total of 19 455 fines were issued for drivers exceeding the speed limit.

"The faster you drive, the greater the risk of crashing. This is largely because you have less time to respond to unexpected hazards. Faster speeds also mean bigger crash impacts, with potentially more serious consequences. Vulnerable road users such as pedestrians are more likely to be killed and injured in speed-related crashes, and children are particularly at risk," says Africa.

He also said that drivers should be particularly aware that the stopping distance of a vehicle increases considerably on wet roads, adding to the danger of driving at high speeds.

"As speeding remains one of the main contributors to the high fatality rate, traffic officers will continue to patrol high-risk routes and will not hesitate to stop and arrest drivers suspected of speeding. These officers are saving lives, and their interventions support our #SpeedKillsFacts road safety campaign."

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