CAPE TOWN – Four drivers were arrested and their vehicles impounded in a series of dangerous driving incidents on the N1 near Koeberg Road in the early hours of Saturday 26 September 2025.

At about 03:00, members from the city’s traffic services highway unit were attending to a truck accident on the N1 outbound near the Koeberg Interchange when CCTV operators identified three vehicles racing from the CBD along FW de Klerk Boulevard.

One of the vehicles, a Mercedes-Benz, crashed into a stationary highway patrol vehicle at the truck accident scene, causing significant damage to the patrol vehicle.

All three vehicles were identified through CCTV.

The three drivers were arrested. One was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving and illegal street racing. The other two, both driving GTIs, were arrested for reckless driving and illegal street racing.

JP Smith, mayco member for safety and security, said all three vehicles were towed and impounded in terms of the applicable traffic by-law.

He adds that the cases are being processed at Maitland police, with the directorate’s specialist investigation unit activated to assist police detectives.

Road closure

At about 05:00, the day-shift highway unit took over the scene and implemented a temporary road closure to facilitate recovery of the truck. Traffic was diverted via Paarden Eiland.

The closure was demarcated with cones and blue lights.

Despite this, a BMW M40 drove through the road-closure cones. No vehicles were damaged and nobody was injured.

Smith said the driver was found to be under the influence of alcohol and arrested for driving under the influence and reckless or negligent driving.

The BMW was impounded for contravening the applicable traffic by-law.

Vehicles impounded

All four vehicles will remain in the municipal pound pending finalisation of the respective cases.

Smith emphasised that the city has a zero-tolerance approach to illegal street racing and driving under the influence of alcohol, and would continue using CCTV, drones, vehicle dash cameras, body-worn cameras and other available technology to identify dangerous and unlawful driving behaviour.

“If you choose to race on our roads or drive while intoxicated, you can expect enforcement action… Our roads are not racetracks. Drive responsibly,” warned Smith.

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