A review of highway patrol data for the past year shows that City Traffic and Metro Police officers responded to more than 7 500 incidents. The Traffic Highway Patrol Unit’s data specifically shows that 70% of incidents they responded to, occurred between 14:00 and 06:00.
Over 12 months between July 2024 and June 2025, the City’s Traffic Service responded to 5 392 incidents on Cape Town’s highways. Half were stationary vehicles, just over 30% were crashes involving vehicles, pedestrians and animals, and the rest a combination of incidents including protest action, crime, fires, roadworks, flooding and other weather-related impacts, and animals causing obstructions, to mention a few.
Highway patrol
The Traffic Service’s Highway Patrol Unit (HPU), active since November 2022, responded to 67% of these incidents. HPU officers also made more than 400 arrests for a range of offences and recorded 90 000+ offences.Their Metro Police counterparts who conduct dedicated patrols on the N2 and R300 recorded 2 215 incidents. Of these, 85% were breakdowns related to mechanical issues, motorists running out of fuel or as a result of flat tyres.
Officers rendered assistance to eight motorists who had been robbed, either while stationary, or who were forced to stop.
“Safety on our major routes came to a head about a decade ago, when we saw a startling increase in the number of attacks on motorists, including stoning incidents and criminals obstructing roadways. Thanks to increased proactive patrols and greater coordination with CCTV networks and other services, we have managed to reduce the number of premeditated attacks; however, opportunistic criminals continue to target motorists who have stopped along the side of the road – either to drop off or pick up passengers; to take a call, or because of a mechanical issue. In the last year, our services responded to an average of 600 incidents a month on the highways and while they strive to respond as quickly as possible, I appeal to road users to make sure they’ve done everything possible to ensure they’re able to keep moving,” said Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith.
Appeals
The City appeals to motorists, but also the public in general, to consider the following safety tips:
– Make sure that your vehicle is mechanically sound at all times;
– Make sure that you have the necessary tools and a spare tyre, in case of a puncture or blowout;
– Factor in a few extra minutes to check tyres and fuel at a garage before making it onto a highway/major route;
– Make sure that your cellphone is charged, or that you have a car charger available, and that you have airtime to call for help;
– Make sure someone close to you is aware of the exact route you are taking, and your time of departure;
– Share your live location with someone close to you;
– Save the Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) number on your phone – 021 480 7700, in case of an emergency;
– Report anything out of place along your route – even other vehicles that appear stranded or abandoned;
– Do not stop along a highway to drop passengers or pick up anyone, or make a call.
