With thousands of vehicles on the move over the Easter period, traffic officers across the Western Cape took a firm stance against reckless driving, targeting driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI), unlicensed drivers, and unsafe vehicles. High-visibility operations were aimed at preventing crashes and protecting communities across the province.
Over the holiday period, traffic officers conducted province-wide operations, stopping and checking 44 555 vehicles and making 149 arrests, including 108 for driving under the influence.
Driving under the influence remains a serious concern. The highest alcohol reading recorded was at 1,46 mg/l, more than five times the legal limit. Traffic officers also removed 293 unroadworthy vehicles from the roads and identified 1 778 unlicensed vehicles, highlighting ongoing compliance gaps. Sadly, 19 people lost their lives on the province’s roads, compared to 22 during the same period last year.
Pedestrians and passengers remained the most vulnerable road users, accounting for the majority of fatalities.
Although total arrests decreased by 29% compared to the previous year, officials caution that speeding, reckless driving, failure to wear seatbelts, and alcohol-related behaviour remain major risks.
“Our high-visibility approach is working, but road safety is a shared responsibility. We urge residents and visitors to wear seatbelts, never drink and drive, avoid walking while intoxicated, and always follow the rules of the road,” said Maxine Bezuidenhout, chief director of Traffic Management.
In the 48 hours leading up to 4 April, a period of heavy holiday travel, traffic officers stopped and checked 14 888 vehicles, resulting in 29 arrests, including 24 for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Enforcement outcomes from this period included:
• 642 unlicensed vehicles removed from the roads
• 104 unroadworthy vehicles taken off the road immediately
• 4 054 fines issued for vehicle and traffic offences
• 235 speeding cases recorded
• 219 cases of overloading
Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Isaac Sileku, said the behaviour of some drivers remains deeply concerning. “These arrests show that some drivers are still putting lives at risk by ignoring the law.
Because of these reckless choices, 29 individuals were spending the long Easter weekend behind bars instead of with their loved ones. These situations could have been avoided if they had made responsible decisions and complied with the rules of the road.”
With the Easter holiday now behind us, traffic officers reflect on a period of intensive operations and interventions. While enforcement helped reduce risks over the holiday period, authorities stress that responsible driving, including sober driving, wearing seatbelts, and obeying the rules of the road, is essential for keeping families and communities safe.