The Highway Patrol Unit consists of 30 operational members, with two administrative support staff.

The unit's role is to conduct visible patrols and provide assistance to road users, enforce traffic laws, and respond to incidents detected through the Freeway Management System cameras.

​​'Our new tech-led Highway Patrol Unit is making encouraging progress in making our roads safer, with 400 arrests in just four months. Safety technology investments underpin this success, with dash-cams and Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology fitted in their vehicles. Our officers can automatically track motorists with outstanding warrants, spot duplicate or cloned licence plates, and identify stolen vehicles or those used in a crime. This has led to 15 arrests in the new unit's short lifespan for possession of stolen or hijacked vehicles. It is clear that a technology-based approach to crime-fighting multiplies the effectiveness of our officers. This unit is a part of the shift towards a 24 hour presence, which we are steadily expanding in key parts of the city,' said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.

During its first four months in operation, officers attached to the unit have made 416 arrests and recorded 28 870 offences. Of these, 56% were offences committed by drivers of public transport vehicles.

​​Among the arrests made were 339 for driving under the influence, 25 for reckless and negligent driving, eight on multiple counts of DWI/reckless and negligent driving and other transgressions and seven for the possession of drugs.

​CATEGORY	TOTALS​
General offences recorded​	​12 675
​Public transport offences recorded	​16 195
​Total offences recorded	​28 870
​Arrests	​416
​Vehicles discontinued	​237
​Vehicles impounded	​233
​Cellphones impounded	​992

On 25 November 2022, while driving to Athlone police station to process a drunk driving arrest, Highway Patrol officers stopped a red Toyota Conquest along Klipfontein Road after the vehicle was flagged as stolen by the officers' onboard ANPR system. Four suspects were arrested and detained at Athlone Police Station.

On 29 December 2022, Highway Patrol officers used ANPR to determine that a white Toyota Yaris had false number plates fitted. They pulled over the vehicle on the N1 at Marine Drive, and soon discovered that the vehicle had been hijacked on Christmas Day. The vehicle occupants, aged 33, 38 and 45, were found in possession of computers, numerous cellphones, a number of vehicle keys and remotes, as well as an array of vehicle number plates. They were charged with hijacking, kidnapping, the possession of a stolen vehicle and displaying false number plates, along with a number of traffic offences.

​​'These successes underscore the importance of investing not just in more visible policing resources, but also the accompanying technology to make our streets safer. It not only allows our officers to deal with incidents more swiftly, but also prevents unnecessary stops, as they're able to sharpen their focus, thanks to the ANPR technology. The City is continuing its investment into resourcing the Safety and Security Directorate and ensuring that our efforts are in line with international standards, in the interest of public safety, and the Highway Patrol unit is but one example of this. I am very pleased with the results thus far, and look forward to even greater things from these officers, but our uniformed services in general,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.