The City of Cape Town is taking a tough stance against taxi drivers who transport passengers under the influence of alcohol.
JP Smith, the City’s Mayoral committee member for safety and security; and social services, said there had been an increase in cases of taxi drivers arrested for driving intoxicated.
On Saturday August 19, six taxi drivers were arrested during a roadblock at Wetton Road and Rosmead Avenue, in Wynberg. They were among 112 suspects arrested by traffic officers over the last four days.
According to Traffic Services, 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/* .
“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. 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 Mr Smith.
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.
Mr Smith called on the taxi industry to help the City eradicate the bad driver behav-
iour.
