The Western Cape traffic services recorded 279 speeding offences and dished out 5 873 fines in a matter of seven days.
Officers manned 190 road blocks, vehicle check-points and speed-control operations across the province, stopping and checking 34 685 vehicles from Monday December 20 to Monday December 27.
During these operations, traffic services issued R8 701 250 in fines, impounded 39 vehicles and took 134 unroadworthy vehicles off the road.
MEC for Transport and Public Works, Daylin Mitchell said he said was worried about the high cases of drinking and driving – 39 cases during this period.
“The consequences of irresponsible driving behaviour may be with you for the rest of your life. If you have a criminal record for driving under the influence, you may lose a job and struggle to get another one,” Mr Mitchell said.
“If you are injured, it could affect your ability to make a living and support your dependants. If you kill or injure another breadwinner, that person’s dependants could suffer life-long consequences.”
He urged drinking motorists to rather leave their cars behind and find alternatives to and from where they drink.
Drinking and walking was another danger, Mr Mitchell said.
“Of the pedestrians who die in crashes and are tested for alcohol, over half have been drinking and about 40% of those are drunk. More than three times as many pedestrians die in crashes on Saturdays than on Wednesdays.”
The most vulnerable age group for these types of accidents are pedestrians aged between 20 and 29, he said.
Traffic serves recorded the deaths of two cyclists, 18 drivers, two motor cyclists, 17 passengers, 14 pedestrians and two deaths marked as “other”.
