Two people were killed in two separate incidents on Western Cape roads on Good Friday
|||Cape Town - TWO people were killed in two separate incidents on Western Cape roads on Good Friday – one a pedestrian and the second a passenger in a vehicle.
According to provincial traffic head Kenny Africa, the pedestrian was killed on the R300 highway near Mitchells Plain on Good Friday
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After hitting the pedestrian, the driver of the vehicle lost control of the car, smashed through a fence, and rocketed over a concrete wall before crashing into a house, Africa said. The driver suffered minor injuries, and was charged with culpable homicide.
In the second incident, a passenger was killed when the driver of the vehicle lost control near Blouberg Strand on Friday night.
Africa said the loss of lives was a “terrible tragedy” and added that the traffic department would continue to enforce its zero tolerance policy.
“We will not let anyone place another person’s life in danger while travelling on the roads. Any road offenders will be found and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
More than 700 speeding fines to the tune of R89 000 were dished out to Western Cape motorists so far over the Easter weekend during 12 roadblocks on the major roads.
According to officials, the highest recorded speed violation in the Western Cape over the last two days was 195km/h in a 120km/h zone, near Beaufort West on Friday night.
In addition, 17 motorists were charged with drunk driving on Good Friday and the highest recorded blood alcohol concentration was 1.20g per 100ml near Vredendal – far above the legal limit of 0.05g per 100ml.
Officers were also involved in a high speed car chase from Kraaifontein to Kuils River. The driver was eventually caught and charged with reckless and negligent driving as well as drunk driving.
“We understand that everyone is in a festive mood, but that does not mean drinking and driving will be tolerated. We warn anyone who thinks they can drink and drive and risk the lives of other people that they will be caught and dealt with in the harshest terms possible.”
One man was also arrested for carrying false documents near Swellendam.
Africa said the department also received assistance from Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).
“The RTMC have made a helicopter available, which alerts us to any incidents on the ground. They also provided us with 10 high-performance vehicles to reinforce our regular operations. This gives us a much greater scope to monitor traffic and arrest any offenders.”
An additional 22 officers have also been posted on the notorious “death stretch” between Beaufort West and Leeu-Gamka on the N1 highway.
Africa encouraged all motorists and their passengers to buckle up on the road.
“Statistics have proven that many accident victims die because they fail to wear seatbelts. Whether it’s the front or back seats, all occupants of a vehicle must wear a seatbelt and we hope motorists will take this seriously. It can mean the difference between life and death.”
Roadblocks will continue throughout the weekend with the emphasis on drinking and driving, speeding, fatigue management and ensuring safe following distances.
kowthar.solomons@inl.co.za
Weekend Argus