Road users urged to take personal responsibility for road safety

The Western Cape Mobility Department urged road users to take personal responsibility for road safety. Eighteen people lost their lives on the province’s roads in the past week, with sixteen crashes reported. The department attributed the loss of life to reckless and negligent driving.

At the same time, 267 speeding offences were recorded. Among the highest speeds were 167km/h in a 120km/h zone; 162km/h in a 100km/h zone; 109km/h in an 80km/h zone; and 99km/h in a 60km/h zone.

‘’These shocking speeds not only endanger the lives of drivers, but also those of passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Speeding increases the likelihood of losing control of a vehicle, reduces the effectiveness of protective equipment, and increases stopping distances, ultimately raising the risk and severity of incidents,’’ said Muneera Alie, Departmental spokesperson.

Additionally, the Western Cape’s Provincial Traffic Services conducted 238 integrated operations, including roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, and speed control initiatives. During these operations, just over 36 000 vehicles were stopped and checked, over 8 000 fines were issued for various violations, and 139 arrests were made. Notably, 96 of these arrests were for driving under the influence of alcohol, further compounding the danger on our roads.

‘’Many of the crashes and fatalities recorded are preventable and stem from poor driving decisions, including excessive speed, driving under the influence, and ignoring basic road rules,’’ said Alie.

‘’These statistics should not just shock us - they should spur us into action. The truth is that too many of these incidents are due to human error and a disregard for rules that are intended to protect us all. We each have the power to help prevent crashes and save lives,” added Muneera Allie, Western Cape Mobility Department’s Head of Communication.

 

Done by: Elona Sibunzi