Cape Town Traffic Services arrested nine motorists during an illegal street racing operation in the Plattekloof, Panorama and Milnerton areas on Wednesday (3 May).
According to a report from Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith, eight motorists were arrested for reckless and negligent driving and another for obstructing an officer in the execution of their duty.
He says officers also issued a number of fines for violations of the National Road Traffic Act and suspended five vehicles for being unroadworthy.
The highest speed clocked on the night was a car going at 138 k/h along Plattekloof Road in the vicinity of Panorama Hospital.
“It was an extremely busy night for Traffic Services, with multiple races taking place at various locations in the area. Officers split up to prevent the gathering of racers and spectators at the Engen garage on Plattekloof Road and the Ghost Squad attended to the racing on the lower side of Plattekloof Road towards Milnerton, Koeberg Road as well as the N7 between Plattekloof and the N1.”
Smith says this is a prime example of how they have to deploy resources to “babysit people who couldn’t be bothered to obey the law and put the lives of other road users at risk”.
“There are legal gatherings at Killarney where people with a penchant for speed can have their fun in a safe and controlled environment, instead of literally dicing with death on public roads,” he says.
