The Western Cape Government this week said it is deeply concerned about the high number of road fatalities and incidents of drunk driving recorded between 22 April and 4 May. In this period 51 lives were lost on the province’s roads, 33 of whom were during the period of 22-28 April and 19 of them were pedestrians.
Another 18 lives were claimed between 29 April and 4 May in 16 fatal crashes.
In addition, 96 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in the first period, the provinces’ Mobility Department said in a statement released on 30 April, while 86 drunken driving arrests were recorded for the second period.
A high number of speeding offences were also highligted.
The Western Cape Mobility Department again urged all road users to take personal responsibility for road safety. Many of the crashes and fatalities recorded were preventable and stem from poor driving decisions, including excessive speed, driving under the influence and ignoring basic road rules.
Tips to avoid speeding:
• Plan your journey and allow extra time to reach your destination.
• Pay attention to speed limit signs and road conditions.
• Avoid distractions and stay focused on the road.
• Be mindful of weather and traffic, and adjust your speed accordingly.
“In the past week 16 crashes could have been avoided and 18 lives saved,” said Muneera Allie, Western Cape Mobility Department’s Head of Communication.
“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.”
The Western Cape Government remained committed to enforcement, education and interventions to improve road safety. The success of these efforts depends on every single road user doing their part.
“Let’s work together to make our roads safer, for our families, our friends, our communities,” said Allie, “because every life matters.”
