Drunk-driving arrests in Cape Town increased by 32%, as City approved an updated strategy to tackle road deaths and improve safety.
Image: File / WCG
Cape Town motorists have clocked up nearly four million traffic offences in just 12 months, while drunk-driving arrests have increased by almost a third.
The latest figures cover July 2025 to June 2026 and were released as the City Council approved an updated Road Safety Strategy for Cape Town.
Traffic officers made 2 767 arrests during the 12-month period, with 2 138 motorists arrested for drunk driving, a 32% increase on the previous year.
But the number of offences is only one concern on Cape Town’s roads.
Pedestrians continue to account for most of the people killed in crashes in the city.
According to the City’s road safety data, more than 72 000 crashes were recorded across Cape Town in 2024, leaving more than 15 000 people injured and 704 dead.
Pedestrians accounted for 72% of those deaths.
The City estimates that road crashes cost Cape Town more than R7 billion during 2024. The updated strategy will see the City place more focus on pedestrians, cyclists, scholars and people using public transport.
It also plans to use crash data to identify roads and areas where serious and fatal crashes are happening, and where enforcement and safety measures should be concentrated.
Mayco member for Urban Mobility Rob Quintas said the final strategy had also been shaped by submissions from residents and organisations during public participation.
The strategy was approved by Council this week after being opened for public comment earlier this year.
The almost four million offences come as Cape Town’s traffic authorities continue enforcement operations across the metro.
Cape Argus reported on August 22, 2026 that traffic officers had gone door-to-door to trace motorists with outstanding warrants.
During that operation, 160 warrants were executed at 54 addresses, resulting in 16 arrests, while R110 000 in outstanding fines was settled. The City has also recently amended its Traffic By-law, with changes around the circumstances in which vehicles can be impounded coming into effect after the amendments were gazetted on July 30, 2026.
The road safety strategy will now move into implementation, with the City expected to set out the actions and timeframes for the measures contained in the plan.
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