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Traffic arrest statistics throw a spotlight on motorists’ behaviour<p>​​</p><span><p>During the roadblock, officers recorded 216 offences, which included 22 arrests for driving under the influence. One motorist’s breathalyzer reading was 1.04mg/L, which is nearly five times the legal limit. <br><br>These statistics represent a fraction of the transgressions that the City’s Traffic Service records on a daily basis.<br><br>Below is a snapshot of key offences recorded between October 2018 and March 2019:<br></p><table width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-default" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.33%;">​OFFENCE</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.33%;">​October ’18 – March ‘19</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.33%;">​October ’17 – March ‘18</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​Driving while intoxicated</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​ 1 761</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​ 1 573</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​Reckless and negligent driving</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​ 442</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​ 462</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​Outstanding warrants executed </td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​97 368</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">​ 65 723</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br>  <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/roadblock%20green%20point.jpg" alt="" style="width:948px;" /></p> ​​</span><span><p>‘The statistics are bittersweet. On the one hand it points to the hard work of our traffic officers to curb the lawlessness on our roads, but on the other hand it also means that too many road users do not take road safety seriously. We have seen some success through various campaigns by the City and from the provincial government, raising awareness of the dangers of drunk driving, speeding and pedestrian safety. However, it is clear that we need to keep driving the message of responsibility,’ said Executive Mayor, Dan Plato. <br><br>The City of Cape Town has introduced a number of initiatives and additional resources in the last decade to improve road safety. These include:<br></p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">The introduction of the Ghost Squad which meant policing in unmarked, high performance vehicles to address illegal street racing in particular </div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Other specialised units to deal with transgressions by the public transport sector</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">The launch of the evidentiary breath testing technology to reduce turnaround times in drunk driving cases</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">The introduction of Operation Reclaim to track down motorists with outstanding warrants</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">The introduction of a 24-hour traffic presence on the roads</div></li></ul> <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/roadblock%20green%20point1.jpg" alt="" style="width:948px;" /> </figure></span><span><p>In the most recent addition, the City implemented administrative changes to give effect to additional powers to the Law Enforcement Department, which allows them to deal with all traffic-related legislation. The change came about after the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services issued the new Peace Officers’ Declaration late last year. It is envisaged that all 1 500 officers, which include auxiliary or volunteer law enforcement officers, would have undergone the primary phase of the training by December 2019.</p> <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/roadblock%20green%20point2.jpg" alt="" style="width:940px;" /> </figure>​​</span><p>‘What this means is that law enforcement officers will now be able to enforce not just the municipal Traffic By-law, but also the provisions of the National Road Traffic Act. This will further strengthen our enforcement capabilities, although as the statistics have shown, increased enforcement is not an effective deterrent. </p><p>‘The reality is that, while we increase the number of drunk driving arrests year after year, we have no idea what happens to these cases once they are handed over to the criminal justice system. However, lengthy delays in court cases are well documented. Until motorists see the consequences of drunk driving through expedited convictions and publication of conviction rates, they will not change their behaviour,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.</p><p><br><strong>End</strong><br></p><p> </p>2019-05-17T22:00:00ZGP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891dGP0|#2f8ed9a7-d721-42b4-b2dc-69a3e7d5bb11;L0|#02f8ed9a7-d721-42b4-b2dc-69a3e7d5bb11|road blocks;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GPP|#1590d31e-7ad8-4e2e-9ac0-344400d98f63;GP0|#0212ec81-3cea-4d6f-8cd2-9607f8d963a2;L0|#00212ec81-3cea-4d6f-8cd2-9607f8d963a2|Green Point;GP0|#0ddf725d-1288-4b1f-bc58-53e09f0d3074;L0|#00ddf725d-1288-4b1f-bc58-53e09f0d3074|Alcohol1

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