Cape Town traffic services have reported a staggering increase in arrests for drunk driving, signalling a concerning trend in road safety violations.
Cape Town traffic report: Drunk driving arrests surged this past week
Over the past week, the City’s enforcement agencies made a total of 409 arrests, with traffic officers recording a nearly 100% increase in arrests week-on-week, primarily for driving while intoxicated (DWI).
Traffic services documented 36 392 speeding offences and issued 23 980 fines for various traffic violations.
Officers also impounded 238 vehicles and executed 1 932 warrants of arrest. Among the arrests, 115 were for drunk driving, 10 for reckless and negligent driving, and 11 for other offences, including possession of stolen vehicles and assault of an officer.
Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith emphasised the seriousness of the situation.
“We have given people considerable warning about their actions. Those who continue to behave badly will learn that it’s not so festive behind bars,” he stated.
Smith also highlighted the success of Operation Exodus, a safety initiative where 1 082 long-distance public transport vehicles were checked, achieving an 87% pass rate.
The associated vehicle checkpoints near public transport interchanges resulted in 1 776 vehicles being stopped and 8 689 fines issued for various vehicle defects and transgressions.
The Public Emergency Communication Centre also noted increases in several incident categories, including fires, assaults, domestic violence, and public drinking offences, over the past weekend.
On the law enforcement front, authorities conducted 581 operations, made 218 arrests, and issued 3 435 notices for various offences.
Notably, LEAP officers recovered firearms and ammunition in Kraaifontein and Atlantis, leading to arrests for possession of illegal weapons.
The Metro Police Department made 55 arrests over the week, including 10 for drunk driving, and issued 4 624 traffic and by-law fines. In notable incidents, officers apprehended suspects involved in shooting incidents in Heideveld and Lotus River, recovering firearms and stolen property.