The first weekend of the 2010 World Cup soccer tournament saw an increase in traffic on Western Cape roads with law enforcement authorities out in full force to clamp down on those breaking the law.
Integrated safely home traffic checkpoints across the province saw 1 430 vehicles stopped and 673 drivers screened for alcohol which led to 30 arrests for driving drunk and 243 summonses issued.
Officials found 4,8 kilograms of cannabis on board a Roadlink bus at a roadblock outside Beaufort West on Friday night. A collision between a BMW and a truck on Friday night at 22h00 claimed the life of the BMW driver on the N7 near Kalbaskraal.
Two more people died on Saturday on the N7 between Clanwilliam and Citrusdal when a light delivery vehicle and a car crashed head on. The driver of the delivery vehicle was arrested for drunk driving and faces a charge of culpable homicide.
Western Cape Community Safety MEC, Lennit Max says visible vehicle checkpoints will be set up daily across the province during the soccer tournament.
"While most people were watching the games this weekend, our law enforcement men and women had their hands full to ensure safety on our roads. We expect soccer fever to affect our roads in the same way we're effected over the Christmas and Easter Holidays so they are out in full force with a zero-tolerance approach," says Max.
Media enquiries:
Jo Lennox
Cell: 082 780 0242
Lennit Max
Cell: 082 559 4600
Issued by: Department of Community Safety, Western Cape Provincial Government
13 June 2010
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government (http://www.capegateway.gov.za)
