N2 numbers show that “hoor is min”
N2 numbers show that hoor is min
CITY OF CAPE TOWN
25 OCTOBER 2015
MEDIA RELEASE
In spite of repeated warnings, stationary vehicles continue to be a headache for enforcement officials trying to safeguard road users on the N2. Read more below:
The City of Cape Town is concerned about the continued high number of stationary vehicles being spotted along the N2 highway, in spite of numerous appeals and warnings advising that this is not safe and that it hampers efforts to safeguard road users.
Safety on the N2 has been a priority for some time, amid ongoing sporadic criminal incidents affecting motorists. In a bid to arrest the situation, the City has joined forces with the Western Cape Government, the South African Police Service, and the South African National Roads Agency Limited to form an N2 Priority Committee.
The Committee coordinates the collective response to ensuring high visibility on the N2 and the appropriate reaction to any incidents that may occur. This includes a weekly retrospective on deployment levels, incidents and the nature of these incidents.
‘Between 21 September and 18 October 2015, 11 crime-related incidents were recorded on the N2 and R300. This included two robberies, four attempted robberies, two incidents of stone-throwing, a road rage incident, and the recovery of two bodies along the N2, between the R300 and Jakes Gerwel Drive,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
Cameras along the N2 detected 949 stationary vehicles – an average of 237 per week. Below is a comparison outlining the statistics for stationary vehicles over the last four weeks:
There is a definite upward trend in the number of stationary vehicles on the N2 in the last month. Nearly half of the vehicles left before officers could respond. Of the incidents where officers were able to engage with the motorists, 30% reported mechanical failures, 17% had run out of petrol, 18% had flat tyres, and 10% stopped to use their cellphone.
During the period under review, City traffic officers issued fines with a total value of over R100 000, while the Western Cape Government issued fines adding up to more than R50 000 to motorists who had stopped along the freeway. It is illegal to stop along freeways, unless in an emergency or because of a breakdown.
‘The City has held numerous safety awareness operations since the beginning of September focusing on issues like driver and vehicle fitness, but also ensuring that motorists have enough fuel to get to their destination. Based on the statistics, it is clear that the message has not filtered through to everyone. Stopping on the freeway unless you absolutely have to makes you vulnerable to attack and I would appeal to motorists to please keep moving and to have their vehicles serviced regularly to minimise the risk of a breakdown,’ said Alderman Smith.
On Friday 16 October 2015, members of the Metro Police Camera Response Unit conducted their latest bait operation on the N2 between the R300 and Mew Way. Soon after stopping along the side of the road, three suspects approached the unmarked vehicle. One of them smashed the driver’s-side window with a brick and tried to rob the officers. Other officers hiding nearby moved in and arrested two of the suspects on charges of attempted robbery and malicious damage to property.
‘This is just another example of how quickly criminals move in on stationary vehicles and just another reason why it is so important for motorists to avoid stopping along the N2 if possible. We need residents to work with us in order to ensure a safe city,’ added Alderman Smith.
Issued by: Media Office, City of Cape Town
Media enquiries:
Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, City of Cape Town, Tel: 021 400 1311 or Cell: 083 675 3780, E-mail: jean-pierre.smith@capetown.gov.za (please always copy media.account@capetown.gov.za)