News24 | A ‘24/7 focus’ is needed as 18 people die on Western Cape roads in less than a week

Eighteen people have been killed in road accidents in the Western Cape in less than a week.

• Eighteen people have been killed in road accidents in the Western Cape in less than a week.
• Most of the fatalities were recorded in the City of Cape Town.
• In addition, 267 speeding offences were recorded.

In less than a week, 18 people have been killed in 16 crashes on Western Cape roads, according to the provincial mobility department.

Thirteen of the 18 people were killed in the City of Cape Town.

In addition, authorities recorded 267 speeding violations, including 163km/h in a 120km/h zone, 139km/h in a 100km/h zone, 124km/h in an 80km/h zone and 114km/h in a 70km/h zone.

Department spokesperson Muneera Allie said the statistics, captured from 29 April to 4 May 2025, reflected the harsh reality of the consequences of reckless and negligent driving.

If motorists had been more vigilant on the roads, the 16 crashes could have been avoided and 18 lives could have been saved, she added.

Referring to the speeding violations, she said: “These shocking speeds not only endanger the lives of drivers, but also those of passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists.

 “Speeding increases the likelihood of losing control of a vehicle, reduces the effectiveness of protective equipment, and increases stopping distances, ultimately raising the risk and severity of incidents.”

Over the past week, Western Cape traffic officials conducted 238 integrated operations, including roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, and speed control initiatives.

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More than 36 000 vehicles were stopped and checked, 128 arrests were made, and more than 8 000 fines were issued.

Allie said that 86 of the arrests were for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Arrive Alive’s Johan Jonck said the statistics showed the need for a “24/7 focus on road safety”.

“The roads do not become safer when Easter or the festive season comes to an end,” he said.

Jonck cautioned motorists to be vigilant on the roads and mindful of other motorists.