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Highways to help

The City’s enforcement agencies tasked with patrolling major routes recorded 1 300 incidents in the first three months of this year. In 81% of those cases, motorists had been left stranded by mechanical issues, flat tyres or empty tanks. Read more below:

The City has a small team of dedicated Metro Police officers who have been patrolling the N2 and R300 for nearly a decade, following an increase in attacks on motorists.In November 2022, their efforts were bolstered by the launch of the Traffic Service's Highway Patrol Unit (HPU), extending patrols to include the N7 and N1, but also other main routes in the metropole. Collectively, the two teams attended to 1 300 incidents in the first three months of 2024, including 1 059 breakdowns and 217 accidents.Metro Police officers recorded 477 incidents – 205 were motorists experiencing mechanical issues, 131 had tyre issues and 81 had run out of fuel. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/An%20MPD%20officer%20assisting%20a%20motorist%20who%20had%20a%20breakdown.jpg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /></figure>Over the period, they also attended to 31 accident scenes, removed nearly 100 cows and goats from the roadway with the assistance of their Law Enforcement colleagues, arrested 16 motorists – 11 of whom were driving under the influence of alcohol - and issued 1 053 fines for various transgressions.<div> Among the fines were 197 pedestrian offences and 247 fines for vehicles with worn tyres. 'We have ongoing challenges with pedestrians on our major routes, and far too often, with fatal consequences. Between January and March, there were at least ten fatal pedestrian accidents on these routes. With winter setting in, the risk of these incidents will likely increase due to poor visibility on the roads. The weather conditions can also affect or aggravate mechanical issues. Already the statistics for the last three months prove once again just how crucial it is to take care of your vehicle. Maintenance shortcuts might save you a few rand in the short term, but they can result in a potentially long, and dangerous wait for help along the side of the road. It's really not worth the risk,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.The HPU attended to 637 breakdowns and 186 accident scenes.</div><div>They made 163 arrests – 95% for drunk driving, and impounded 160 vehicles.</div><div> Officers also recorded 165 jaywalking offences.'This is quite the workload, and our officers try to be as proactive and visible as they can, but we ask the public to please do their bit too. Keep an eye on your oil and water, tyre pressure and make sure that your vehicle is serviced regularly, to reduce the risk of a breakdown,' added Alderman Smith. Residents are reminded to report any criminal activity or emergency by contacting the PECC on 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline. End </div>

2024-05-18T22:00:00Z

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