Anticipation of the rugby game may have been too much for a drunk driver who was found fast asleep behind the wheel of his car blocking traffic coming from Cape Town’s busiest highway on Saturday afternoon.
He was found by Metro Police around 13:40 at the on-ramp to Jackes Gerwel Drive from the N2, and arrested on the spot for driving under the influence. The man was one of 407 people arrested by Cape Town law enforcement over the weekend.
“After rousing him, his slurred speech and the smell of alcohol gave him away. He was arrested for driving under the influence,” said Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith.
“It is shocking to think the driver was so inebriated he couldn’t keep his vehicle going or stay awake behind the wheel. Driving drunk puts lives at risk and shatters families. He was arrested before that happened and hopefully the courts will ensure there are appropriate consequences for his actions.”
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Smith reminded residents that the City has a zero-tolerance approach to driving under the influence. “If caught, you will be detained. The safety of our residents will not be compromised within our metro.”
In total, officers made 120 arrests over the weekend. Of which 32 for drunk driving, and issued 4 482 fines. They also recovered various quantities of drugs.
The City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 2 914 calls for assistance over the weekend. Of these, 610 were reports of by-law infringements, including 401 noise nuisance complaints.
Emergency call takers also logged 197 cases of physical assault, 71 domestic violence incidents and 151 vehicle and pedestrian road accidents.
“This has become par for the course on month-end weekends. Revelry impacts neighbours and spills over onto our roads and into violence as physical assault calls rose by more than 50%, while reports of domestic violence and accidents increased.
“Our residents work hard and deserve to let their hair down, but it must be done responsibly. Having a good time should not end in regret. I call on residents to continue reporting bylaw contraventions,” Smith added.
