'Napping' drunk driver found blocking N2 turn-off

A motorist caught napping behind the wheel and blocking an N2 lane was among 407 people arrested by City of Cape Town enforcement officers over the past week. The incident occurred on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at around 1:40pm, when Metro Police officers discovered the vehicle obstructing the right-turn lane at the on-ramp to Jakes Gerwel Drive.

Upon waking the driver, authorities noted his slurred speech and the smell of alcohol, leading to his arrest for driving under the influence. Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith expressed shock at the driver's severe intoxication, stating that he was unable to control his vehicle or remain conscious behind the wheel.

Smith emphasized the dangers of drunk driving and its detrimental effects on individuals and families, warning that the driver would face appropriate consequences through the legal system. In addition to the drunk driving arrest, Metro Police made 32 other arrests for drunk driving during the weekend, alongside issuing 4,482 fines and recovering a vehicle that had been stolen in Khayelitsha and subsequently hijacked within 30 minutes of its owner being held at gunpoint.

The week's enforcement operations saw a total of 407 arrests by City departments, with 43 of those specifically for drunk driving. Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith noted a concerning rise in physical assaults, domestic violence incidents, and traffic accidents, particularly on month-end weekends, attributing the increase to revelry and its spill-over effects on roads and communities.