Cape Town Sees Concerning Rise In Drunk Driving And Assault

The latest statistics released by the City of Cape Towns Public Emergency Communication Centre PECC paint a troubling picture, revealing a doubling in drunk driving arrests and a significant surge in assaults, reports Cape town Etc .

City's Mayco for Safety and Security Alderman JP Smith has expressed his growing concerns over the reckless behaviour that tends to escalate during payday weekends, marking them with chaos and lawlessness.

Smith says PECC recorded a staggering 147 incidents of assault, representing a more than 90 increase from the previous weekend as residents celebrated their paydays.

Our officers across departments brace for this time of the month as much of the havoc can be ascribed to alcohol abuse. Everyone is happy to have extra money, but it is not a good enough reason to throw caution to the wind, Smith remarked.

The statistics underscore the extent of the disruptions, with traffic officers making a total of 39 arrests over the weekend. Worryingly, 30 of these arrests were solely for driving under the influence. In a broader crackdown, enforcement officials documented a total of 42,565 traffic offences, seized 312 public transport vehicles, and executed 1,367 warrants for arrest.