A drunk driver in a supercar hit a traffic vehicle, and then called a friend to the scene – who was driving drunk too!
The duo were among 291 arrests made by the City of Cape Town’s enforcement services in the past week.
Driving at high speed
On Saturday at 06:42 a traffic officer on patrol along FW de Klerk Boulevard spotted a Porsche Taycan driving up behind him at high speed.
The officer tried to switch lanes, but the driver clipped his vehicle and sped off.
After a high speed chase, the officer managed to force the driver to a stop in the vicinity of Century City.
The 25-year-old driver’s breathalyser test confirmed that he was nearly three times over the legal limit.
He was arrested for driving under the influence, reckless and negligence driving, fleeing an accident scene, failing to comply with a lawful instruction and damage to council property.
The supercar was impounded in terms of the City’s Traffic by-law. A new Porsche Taycan starts at R3.3 million before the bells and whistles are added.
Plot twist
In a plot twist, a friend, also 25, who the fleeing suspect called after the accident, arrived on scene – only to be arrested for drunk driving too!
“This incident is a near carbon copy of an incident in May, when the driver of a yellow Porsche also caused a collision along that same stretch of road.
“The audacity in this case was at an all-time high, and just more proof that some supercar drivers are among our most problematic categories of road users.
“I want to commend the officers involved for their perseverance in catching the suspect, but also being alert to his equally inebriated friend.
“May the criminal justice system dish up the appropriate punishment,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
Enforcement efforts
Meanwhile, in general enforcement efforts over the past week, traffic officers made 34 arrests – 27 for driving under the influence, two for reckless and negligent driving and five for various other charges.
They also recorded 63 403 offences, impounded 202 public transport vehicles and executed 2 258 warrants of arrest.
Their Law Enforcement counterparts made 170 arrests and issued 7 422 notices for various by-law and traffic infringements.
Metro Police officers arrested 87 suspects, of which 20 were for driving under the influence, and issued 2 585 notices.
The Public Emergency Communication Centre logged 1 539 incidents. The top categories of assistance required were for medical incidents, by-laws, traffic and 92 incidents of fire.
Emergency call-takers also dispatched assistance for 95 cases of assault, 35 incidents of domestic violence, and 46 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents.
