Traffic Services

The City’s Traffic Services arrested 33 motorists for drunk driving this weekend at roadblocks held across the city.

On Thursday 9 May 2013, two Traffic Officers in a Ghost Patrol vehicle were patroling the N2 at Mew Way in the direction of Cape Town, when a grey VW Golf with four persons in it came speeding up behind them. This vehicle was so close to them they could not see the vehicle’s number plate.

The Golf then overtook them at high speed, changing lanes and overtaking other vehicles in a manner that endangered other motorists. The Officers pursued the vehicle  and they managed to stop it at the R300.

When they stopped, the passenger of the Golf jumped out and threw a package over the side of the bridge, releasing some of the contents, later confirmed to be dagga. The driver then got out of the car and informed the Officers that he had a firearm on him.

The Officers recovered a licensed Norinco Star 9mm Pistol with eight rounds and a small amount of dagga. The suspects were arrested and taken to the Khayelitsha Police Station where a case of reckless or negligent driving and possession of dagga was opened against them for further investigation.

On Friday 10 May 2013, another 18 suspects were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol at a roadblock held on Vryburger Avenue, Bothasig. The highest breathalyser reading registered at 1.07mg of alcohol per 1000ml of breath.

On Sunday 12 May 2013, officers conducted an operation focusing on illegal drag-racing in the Sea Point and Bellville areas. Although the Sea Point area was very quiet, the Bellville South area was very busy, with about 200 illegal dragsters congregating at the Sasol garage in Belhar. The South African Police Services (SAPS) were very prominent and did not allow the illegal dragsters to settle down and begin racing.

Officers issued 1028 fines for various offences including:

• 5 vehicles suspended for not being roadworthy.
• 17 fines for talking on cell phone and 17 cell phones were impounded.
• 10 fines issued for disobeying red traffic lights.
• 10 fines issued for failure to display number plates.
• 2 fines were issued for wheel spinning.
• 365 speed offences were registered on Table Bay Boulevard, between Christiaan Barnard and Lower Church Street.
• 199 speed offences were registered on Helen Suzman Boulevard, between Portswood and Buitengracht Street (highest speed 109km/h)
• 280 speed offences were recorded on Vanguard Drive, between Zenith and Heideveld Roads (highest speed 140km/h)
• 111 speed offences were registered on Klipfontein Road between Loch and Vaal Road (highest speed 133km/h)

Also on Sunday, officers arrested 13 suspects for driving under the influence of alcohol at a roadblock held on Blaauwberg Road, between Popham and Marine Circle in Table View. The highest breathalyser reading registered at 0.75mg of alcohol per 1000ml of breath.