The regional government reported that there has been ten deaths and 29 arrests on roads in the Western Cape during the long weekend of 25 December.
The ten people died in the Western Cape province in road accidents between Saturday and Tuesday, while 29 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, the regional government said on Wednesday.
A preliminary report from the Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services showed that ten drivers were arrested in George, five each in Mossel Bay and Caledon while the rest were nabbed in Worcester, Knysna, Swellendam, Somerset West, Laingsburg and Brackenfell.
Breath tests were performed on 4 065 drivers at 34 alcohol blitz roadblocks across the province. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in George, at over five times the legal limit.
“A total of 31 speeding offences were recorded and 597 fines in the total amount of R850 550 were issued for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver to vehicle fitness violations,” the report said.
Earlier on Wednesday, South Africa’s Joe Maswanganyi said police and traffic officials would remain vigilant to curb carnage on the roads during the festive season.
African News Agency (ANA)
