Blue (light) Monday as taxi driver goes over the limit

29 April 2024

The suspect joins 284 other suspects who were arrested during general enforcement efforts over the past week.

Traffic Officers were conducting patrols this morning, when they stopped a taxi between Hout Bay and Camps Bay.

The driver's blood alcohol content was 0.13 grams per 1000ml of breath – the legal limit for professional drivers is 0.10mg per 1000ml of breath

The 29-year-old was taken into custody, and officers arranged another ride for his passengers.

'This arrest is a timely reminder to everyone who transports passengers and who is meant to be in possession of a professional driving permit that you are held to a higher standard in law. Even if your last drink is the night before, the effects linger far longer, so do yourself and your passengers a favour and make better choices.

'As expected, we did see an increase in emergency calls as well this weekend, but comparatively, it is not as dire as some payday weekends we have experienced in the past. That said, assault cases doubled week on week, and we saw a fifty percent jump in noise complaints, so still a lot to be concerned about,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

In the past week, the City's enforcement agencies made 284 arrests and issued 65 708 fines for various transgressions.

Traffic officers recorded 58 082 offences, made 36 arrests including 28 for driving under the influence and eight for reckless and negligent driving. They also impounded 148 vehicles and executed 1 923 warrants of arrest.

One of those arrested was on the list of high flyers – he was taken into custody at a vehicle checkpoint in the CBD on Friday, 26 April, for 63 outstanding warrants to the value of R65 500 and will appear in the Blue Downs Magistrate's Court today.

·       Metro Police officers made 61 arrests and issued 3 319 fines.

·       Law Enforcement officers made 187 arrests and issued 4 307 notices

The Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 1 891 incidents (24% increase compared to last week), of which 822 were medical complaints.

The centre also recorded 78 fires, 187 assault cases, up from 95 last week, 48 domestic violence cases (29), 68 road accidents (55) and 272 noise complaints, up from 183.  

End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office