MEDIA RELEASE
23 JANUARY 2012


City of Cape Town Traffic Officers arrested 32 drunk drivers, one suspect for defeating the ends of justice and recorded over 1000 traffic-related offences during operations held this past week.

On Sunday morning 22 January 2012, City Traffic Officers conducted a special motorcycle enforcement operation along the R44 in Gordon’s Bay. One suspect was arrested for defeating the ends of justice after officers discovered a mechanical device illegally fitted to the rear of the motorcycle which served to hide the number plate from view. The suspect admitted that he had fitted the mechanism, which was operated by means of a switch, so that it would not be possible to trace the motorcycle if it was snapped by a speed camera. Another motorcyclist was also arrested, on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, after his breathalyser test registered 0,99 mg of alcohol per 1 000 ml of breath.

In addition, officers issued 431 traffic fines for various offences including 34 fines for driving without a license, 20 fines for unlicensed vehicles, and 27 fines for failure to display registration plates. In addition, 12 motorcycles were suspended.

That evening, approximately 120 would-be dragsters gathered along Modderdam Road outside the University of the Western Cape. Traffic Officers prevented the illegal drag race and conducted vehicle checks. As a result, 19 vehicles were suspended, one was found to be operating while already under suspicion and 14 were found to have smooth tyres. In addition, 24 motorists were charged for driving without a valid driving licence. Eight other traffic fines were issued and 106 speeding offences were recorded along Vanguard Drive between Klipfontein Road and the N2. The highest speed recorded was measured at 123 km/h in a 60 km/h zone.

On Saturday 21 January 2012, officers arrested 14 drunk drivers during a roadblock along Koeberg Road, Milnerton. The highest breathalyser reading was recorded at 1,16 mg per 1 000 ml of breath.

Traffic Officers conducted a roadblock concentrating on alcohol and speed enforcement along Helen Suzman Boulevard in Green Point on Friday 20 January 2012. In total 16 drunk drivers were arrested with the highest breathalyser reading recorded at 0,86 mg per 1 000 ml of breath. Officers also recorded 34 traffic fines and 60 speeding offences, with the highest speed clocked at 117 km/h in a 60 km/h zone. On Table Bay Boulevard, officers recorded 221 speeding offences, with the highest speed registered at 132 km/h in a 60 km/h zone.

During the recent enforcement campaign in the Helderberg on 19 and 20 January 2012, Traffic Officers conducted vehicle check points along Main Road in Somerset West and along Main Road in Strand. They recorded 216 traffic-related offences – 23 of which were for failure to wear a safety belt. Seven warrants of arrested were also executed, valued at R6 000,00.

On 17 and 18 January 2012, officers conducted enforcement operations on the N2 and recorded 67 BMT lane offences. One truck-driver was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol after his breathalyser registered 0,43 mg of alcohol per 1 000 ml of breath. In addition, officers issued 76 traffic fines. 


END

ISSUED BY:
COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT
CITY OF CAPE TOWN

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
CHIEF INSPECTOR MERLE LOURENS
MEDIA SPOKESPERSON: TRAFFIC SERVICES
CITY OF CAPE TOWN
TEL: 021 406 8719
CELL: 072 200 1512

INSPECTOR MAXINE JORDAAN
TRAFFIC SERVICES
CITY OF CAPE TOWN
TEL: 021 812 4571
CELL: 072 621 0101 

ALDERMAN J.P. SMITH
MAYORAL COMMITTEE MEMBER: SAFETY AND SECURITY
CITY OF CAPE TOWN
TEL: 021 400 1311
CELL: 083 675 3780