Close Call : Chapman’s Peak Drive reopened following off-road incident

No fatalities were reported after a vehicle went off the road on the sea side of Chapman’s Peak Drive on Sunday, an incident that prompted an emergency response and temporary closure of the scenic route.

Motorists initially experienced delays at both the entry and exit points as authorities assessed the situation. The road was later closed, with drivers advised to plan accordingly and use alternative routes.

The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness Emergency Medical Services (EMS) confirmed that rescue teams responded to the incident earlier in the day.

EMS spokesperson Simoney Regter said one patient was extracted by rescue teams and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical care, while a second individual was assessed and treated on scene.

Chapman’s Peak Drive has, however, been the scene of serious accidents in the past. In March 2021, a woman died after a vehicle went off the road and down a steep section of the pass, while a male passenger was injured. In April 2023, emergency services and specialist rescue teams were deployed after a driver’s vehicle rolled about 180 metres down a slope, requiring a complex extraction operation.

The route has also seen collisions involving cyclists. In August 2025, a crash between a tour bus and cyclists resulted in fatalities and serious injuries, forcing the closure of the scenic pass and renewing debate around driving behaviour on the route. That discussion has at times referenced the long-running BMW advertising slogan “We Beat the Benz” — originally coined as a marketing campaign comparing BMW and Mercedes-Benz performance — which has since entered local motoring slang and is occasionally cited in conversations around competitive or risky driving on high-performance roads.

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Cape Argus