A motorist was arrested after allegedly falling asleep behind the wheel while blocking a turn-off from Cape Town’s N2.
Image: File
A motorist found fast asleep behind the wheel while blocking an N2 lane was among 407 people arrested by City of Cape Town enforcement officers over the past week.
Metro Police officers found the vehicle blocking the right-turn lane at the on-ramp to Jakes Gerwel Drive. When they woke the driver, officers said his speech was slurred and they could smell alcohol.
He was arrested for driving under the influence. The incident happened at about 1.40pm on Saturday. August 29, 2026.
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said the driver was allegedly so intoxicated that he could not keep his vehicle moving or stay awake.
“It is shocking to think the driver was so inebriated he couldn’t keep his vehicle going or stay awake behind the wheel. Driving drunk puts lives at risk and shatters families,” Smith said.
“He was arrested before that happened and hopefully the courts will ensure there is appropriate consequences for his actions.”
Metro Police arrested 32 people for driving under the influence over the weekend, while making 120 arrests in total and issuing 4 482 fines.
Meanwhile, Metro Police recovered a vehicle hijacked in Khayelitsha less than 30 minutes after its owner was held at gunpoint.
The figures come after a busy month-end weekend for the City's emergency services.
The Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 2 914 calls for assistance, including 197 reports of physical assault, 71 domestic violence incidents and 151 vehicle and pedestrian road accidents.
Another 610 calls involved by-law infringements, including 401 noise nuisance complaints.
Smith said physical assault calls had increased by more than 50%, while reports of domestic violence and accidents had also increased.
“This has become par for the course on month-end weekends,” Smith said.
“Revelry impacts neighbours and spills over onto our roads and into violence as physical assault calls rose by more than 50%, while reports of domestic violence and accidents increased.”
Across the broader week’s enforcement operations, City traffic officers made 50 arrests, including 43 for drunk driving and six for reckless or negligent driving.
They also issued 50 696 fines, executed 817 warrants of arrest and impounded 134 public transport vehicles.
Law Enforcement officers made a further 237 arrests and issued 13 469 notices.
Together with the 120 Metro Police arrests, 407 people were arrested by the City’s enforcement departments over the past week.
