Cape Town - A motorist nabbed for speeding at 175km/h on the N1 freeway registered the highest speed since the launch of the Provincial Traffic Safety Campaign earlier in June.
At the launch traffic authorities announced a huge hike in traffic fines.
Department spokesman Al-Ameen Kafaar said 968 drivers had been screened for driving under the influence of alcohol, 18 of whom were arrested.
“The highest recorded speed was 175km/h in a 120km/h zone on the N1 in Brackenfell. A driver was fined for driving at 154km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N1 near Worcester and another for driving at 107km/h in a 80km/h zone on the N2 in Somerset West,” Kafaar said.
The highest alcohol reading was recorded in Knysna at 1.09mg/1000ml, which was four times the legal limit of 0.24mg/1000ml.
Kafaar said: “More than 12 000 vehicles were screened for speeding of which 1389 speeding offences were recorded. Some 228 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness to the amount of R135 800.”
Western Cape traffic chief Kenny Africa said there would be “an intensified” winter operation aimed at decreasing the number of fatalities on the road.
“We will continue to intensify our operations. Our main problem is the speeding and alcohol intake of motorists.”
More than 900 operations have been planned over the next three months which will focus on key areas.
A total of 317 people died on the province’s roads between June and August 2013, 20 more than during the same period in 2012.
Cape Times