A total of 108 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol during the Freedom Day long weekend, according to the City of Cape Town.
The arrests formed part of 338 made by the City’s enforcement agencies during the past week.
The City also issued 64 987 fines during the same period.
According to a City statement, traffic officers made 76 arrests, of which 60 were for driving under the influence, two for reckless and negligent driving, and 14 for other offences.
Metro Police and Law Enforcement officers made a further 48 drunken-driving arrests.
No sympathy for drunk drivers
Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said drunken driving remained a major concern, “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.
“We do not pay nearly enough attention to the cost of drunk driving, particularly for other road users who have the misfortune of being impacted by their selfish actions.”
1 820 calls for assistance
The City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 1 820 calls for assistance over the long weekend.
These included 109 physical assault-related incidents, 63 domestic-violence cases, 288 noise-nuisance complaints and 27 complaints related to drinking and fighting in public.
The centre also dispatched assistance to 72 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents.
Traffic officers recorded 50 798 traffic transgressions, impounded 176 public transport vehicles and executed 1 392 warrants of arrest.
During weekly patrols, Metro Police officers made 113 arrests and issued 4 673 traffic and bylaw fines.
Law Enforcement officers made 199 arrests and issued 9 616 notices.
In a separate operation on Freedom Day, Law Enforcement Advancement Plan officers recovered nearly 6 kg of dagga and more than R16 000 in cash in Manenberg. A 19-year-old suspect was arrested.
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