A minibus taxi driver was arrested on Saturday for owing 59 traffic fines valued at R178 900 to the City of Cape Town.
Also read: Busy week sees hundreds of arrests and thousands of fines in city
According to TimesLIVE, officers stopped the suspect in Kuils River, only to find that he was among the City’s Top 100 list of outstanding warrants. The officers chased the man after he attempted to flee on foot through the canal and into vegetation, and apprehended him.
Because he was unable to pay the fines, the man was sentenced to three months in prison in the Parow court due to 41 warrants outstanding at the related court. Another 18 are owed at another court.
The City of Cape Town’s traffic services have intensified roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints and speed control operations since the recent and violent taxi strike which claimed five lives. About 40 701 speeding offences have been recorded. A total of 26 850 fines have been issued for various traffic violations; 339 vehicles have been impounded and 1 934 warrants of arrest were executed.
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TimesLIVE further reports that officers made 71 arrests for various offences, including drunk driving, reckless and negligent driving, and even other offences such as assaulting an officer.
Mayco member for safety and security, Alderman JP Smith, says inclement weather has also contributed to increased road recklessness. This after the City’s public emergency communication centre received 76 calls about motor vehicle accidents and 18 pedestrian-related accidents last weekend.
‘Drivers fail to take into account the bad weather and don’t adjust their driving behaviour accordingly. Instead of switching on their lights, slowing down or increasing their following distances, they seem to do the opposite.
‘Add to that a number of drivers under the influence and you have a recipe for disaster. Alcohol, negligent driving and wet road conditions result in accidents or fender benders which could have been avoided. It may be spring, but that doesn’t mean the rainy days are over. Motorists should be extra cautious whenever weather conditions deteriorate.’
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Also read:
Taxi strike: City of Cape Town tallying up damage costs to sue Santaco
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