Cape Town traffic authorities noted a significant increase in drunk driving over the long weekend, with 60 motorists arrested for this transgression.
“We’re not halfway through the month and our drunk driving arrests are showing a disturbing increase. These figures are usually indicative of the end of the month or a pay day weekend, when drivers are less cautious than they should be,” Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security Alderman JP Smith said.
“The long weekend likely played a role, although it really is poor form, considering the conditions on the roads this past weekend.”
Smith said the city offered free programmes for those who want to kick the habit of alcohol abuse.
“Drunk driving destroys lives, apart from the astronomical economic losses in terms of injuries and fatalities. If you cannot make the responsible choice to drive sober, then choose to get help.”
Traffic officers also issued 22,391 fines for various traffic violations in the city, including 12,814 speeding offences. Authorities also executed 2,041 warrants of arrest and impounded 163 public transport vehicles.
Smith added that traffic authorities were conducting more proactive and targeted operations in Cape Town, while working on integrating smarter technology into their operations. These include the Eye in the Sky (ISR) aircraft, which has state-of-the-art cameras and detection equipment.