In a concerning trend this past week, Cape Town’s enforcement agencies have reported a dramatic rise in arrests linked to drunk driving, with a total of 338 suspects apprehended and a staggering 64,987 fines issued, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Among these, at least 108 individuals were stopped for driving under the influence of alcohol, marking one of the highest counts recorded this year.
According to the City, its Public Emergency Communication Centre also saw an uptick in call-related incidents during the long weekend, responding to a total of 1 820 emergencies.
Traffic officers alone recorded 76 arrests within the week, 60 of which pertained to drink driving offences. Additionally, two individuals were apprehended for reckless and negligent driving, and 14 for various other offences.
In a significant enforcement push, officers also documented 50 798 transgressions, impounding 176 public transport vehicles and executing 1 392 warrants of arrest. Coupled with Metro Police and Law Enforcement interceptions – amounting to 48 further arrests for driving while intoxicated (DWI) – the total drink driving arrests reached a sobering 108.
Speaking on the troubling situation, Alderman JP Smith, the Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, expressed his dismay:
‘Drunk driving remains a challenge, even when motorists have so many options available to them. I have absolutely no sympathy for anyone caught in this situation, and my only wish is that the criminal justice system takes stronger action against those who drink and drive.’
He lamented the personal and societal costs associated with drunk driving, particularly the toll on innocent road users affected by reckless behaviour.
Disturbingly, this increase in drunk driving incidents coincided with an array of other distress calls received by the Public Emergency Communication Centre, with 109 relating to physical assaults, 63 to domestic violence, 288 noise complaints, and 27 involving public disturbances linked to drinking and fighting.
Furthermore, assistance was rendered for 72 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents.
In addition to the alarming drunk driving statistics, Metro Police officers reported 113 arrests and issued 4 673 traffic and by-law fines during their weekly patrols.
In terms of vehicle crime, a notable achievement occurred on Saturday, with officers from the Anti-Hijacking Unit successfully recovering two stolen vehicles, both abandoned within a remarkably short span of time.
The Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) also made significant strides this week, registering 199 arrests and issuing 9 616 notices during ongoing operations.
In a particularly noteworthy operation on Freedom Day, LEAP officers in Manenberg seized nearly six kilograms of dagga and over R16 000 in cash, resulting in the arrest of a 19-year-old suspect.
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join!
Also read:
Western Cape traffic operations lead to 51 DUI arrests and 30 fatalities
Picture: City of Cape Town
