City speeds to a decade of dedicated highway patrols
30 March 2025
The dedicated patrols were introduced in response to a spate of attacks on motorists on the N2 in 2015, and expanded to include the Traffic Service’s Highway Patrol Unit in 2022. Now, in 2025, even more resources have been pencilled in. Read more below:
Officers attached to the Metro Police Department and the Traffic Service's Highway Patrol Unit (HPU) conduct patrols on a 24-hour basis to protect road users, but also enforce the relevant legislation and attend to accident scenes or other roadway obstructions like protest action, animals on the roadway etc.
For years, the Metro Police deployment focused on the N2 and R300. The introduction of the HPU saw the footprint expanded to include the N7 and the N1.
Collectively, the patrol areas amount to just under 100 kilometres of roadway.The dedicated deployments are topped up by area enforcement staff who provide additional ad hoc cover, or response where needed.
For the financial year to date (July 2024 – February 2025), staff have responded to more than 4 000 vehicle breakdowns.
| CATEGORIES | TOTAL |
| Vehicle breakdowns | 4 042 |
| Arrests | 340 |
| Traffic offences | 68 710 |
| Pedestrian offences | 3 248 |
Of the vehicle breakdowns recorded on the N2 and R300, 86% were either due to a mechanical fault, tyres or fuel.
'These statistics offer just a glimpse into the many challenges the officers have to deal with. They also respond to accident scenes, criminal incidents and more – even herding animals off the roadway, and clearing obstructions like rocks placed with intent to do harm. But the vehicle breakdowns continue to dominate. Experience has shown that stranded motorists are vulnerable. This is a key reason why we do these dedicated deployments, but it is a shared responsibility and I urge motorists to be more aware of their surroundings, but also the state of their vehicle, before setting off,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.Plans are in motion to expand the City's enforcement presence on the N2 and surrounds. The deployment footprint on this route includes the N2 between Nelson Mandela Boulevard and Sir Lowry's Pass, Baden Powell Drive, Borcherds Quarry and Airport Approach Roads.
The recently tabled draft budget includes an allocation of R20 million for 44 additional Metro Police officers to work on a shift rotation to shore up patrols in this precinct.
'Safety on our major arterial routes is critical, and much needed, as the statistics from our existing interventions show. In addition to the request for additional personnel, we also have CCTV monitoring to help extend our reach along with drones for pre-planned operations, and I have engaged all the relevant stakeholders to implement better walling solutions for hotspots on these major routes to decrease the number of pedestrians and animals on the road to improve public safety,' added Alderman Smith.
The public is reminded to save the number for the Public Emergency Communication Centre on their cellphones, and place a call for assistance as soon as possible, should they become stranded on any of the highways.
That number is 021 480 7700 from a cellphone, and 107 from a landline.
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
