At least six boozy minibus taxi drivers were nabbed at a roadblock at the intersection of Wetton Road and Rosemead Avenue in Wynberg on Saturday morning.
“We’re unfortunately seeing an increase in the number of taxi drivers arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and it is extremely concerning,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security; and Social Services, Alderman JP Smith.
The arrested taxi drivers were among 112 suspects arrested by traffic officers in the last four days. One of the suspects was more than 10 times over the legal limit for drivers with a public driving permit, which is 0,02 mg/l.
“Thousands of people rely on this mode of transport every day and as if the driving behaviour of some isn’t concerning enough, the fact that alcohol comes into play as well just increases the risk to which these commuters are subjected,” said Smith.
“I call on the taxi industry to wake up to this appalling behaviour and to help us eradicate it.”
Elsewhere, traffic officers arrested 86 motorists for drunk driving, including 31 at two roadblocks in Wynberg and Claremont and 36 at a roadblock in Khayelitsha.
Their Metro Police counterparts arrested 33 motorists for the same offence, including one driver who collided with a Law Enforcement vehicle in Parow on Saturday.
Smith said on Thursday evening the City’s Ghost Squad had its hands full with illegal street races in various locations. In Bellville South, officers arrested nine motorists for reckless and negligent driving and four for driving under the influence of alcohol.
On the N1 in the vicinity of Giel Basson Drive, three motorcyclists were clocked at 205 km/h. Officers gave chase and the riders all set off in different directions. They were eventually caught and charged with reckless and negligent driving. They were joined by three more suspects who were arrested on Marine Drive in Paarden Eiland.
In another operation focusing on illegal street racing in Bellville on Sunday, officers arrested six suspects: five for reckless and negligent driving and one for driving under the influence of alcohol.
– African News Agency (ANA)
