Drunk drivers arrested in the Cape nearly doubles in a week

The City of Cape Town has yet again raised concerns over the number of drunk drivers on the metro’s roads.

According to the latest statistics from the municipality, the arrests have nearly doubled from the previous week. A total of 127 arrests were made for drunk driving, up from the previous week’s 69, which had nearly doubled from the 36 arrests the week prior.

The City’s Traffic Service made 119 arrests of which 105 were for drunk driving and 14 for reckless and negligent driving. The other 22 drunk driving arrests were made by Metro Police officers.

The City’s Mayco Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said officers will not hesitate to put drunk drivers behind bars.

‘’The carnage on our roads, our enforcement and numerous appeals are clearly not deterring drivers hell bent on getting behind the wheel drunk. It is disheartening to see such absolute disregard for the law. Officers will continue to arrest those drivers who clearly don’t care for their own lives or other road users.’’

‘’Sadly, these statistics are likely to be par for the course as we head towards the year-end holidays. It can be a joyous time for everyone, but if you’re intent on breaking the law, it won’t be all that jolly behind bars. Do the right thing and don’t drink and drive,’’ he added.

Meanwhile, Metro Police officers arrested a 35-year-old man for being in possession of a fraudulent driver’s license. Smith says officers arrested the suspect in Milnerton on Sunday, following a vehicle checkpoint in Koeberg Road.

The City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded a decrease in the number of overall incidents reported for the weekend. The centre received 277 less calls than the previous week’s 2 024.

 

PICTURE: Screenshot of

The City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre weekend calls lodged

Done By: Mitchum George