'Napping' drunk driver found blocking N2 turn-off

City officials confirmed that a motorist who was found sleeping at the wheel while blocking an N2 turn-off was arrested for driving under the influence. The incident occurred around 1.40pm on Saturday, August 29, 2026, near the Jakes Gerwel Drive on-ramp. Officers discovered the vehicle stationary in the right-turn lane and found the driver unresponsive. Upon waking him, police noted slurred speech and detected the scent of alcohol. The man was taken into custody for suspected intoxication. Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith described the case as alarming, stating the individual appeared too intoxicated to maintain control of the vehicle or remain alert while driving. “Driving drunk puts lives at risk and shatters families,” Smith remarked. He emphasized that legal action would follow, hoping for appropriate consequences. During this period, Metro Police conducted extensive enforcement activities, resulting in 32 arrests for driving under the influence and a total of 120 arrests overall. They also issued 4,482 fines. In addition, law enforcement officers made 237 arrests and issued 13,469 notices. Across all operations, city traffic officers made 50 arrests, including 43 for drunk driving and six for reckless or negligent driving. These efforts included the recovery of a stolen vehicle in Khayelitsha within 30 minutes of its owner being held at gunpoint. This marked one of several high-profile incidents during a particularly active weekend for emergency services. The Public Emergency Communication Centre logged 2,914 calls for assistance during the week-end, highlighting a surge in urgent situations. Among these, 197 reports concerned physical assaults, 71 related to domestic violence, and 151 involved vehicle and pedestrian road accidents. Additionally, 610 calls pertained to bylaw violations, with 401 specifically regarding noise nuisances. According to Smith, the number of physical assault calls increased by over 50% compared to previous periods. He attributed this rise to the typical behavior associated with month-end weekends, noting that revelry often leads to disturbances affecting neighbors and escalating into violent incidents. “This has become par for the course on month-end weekends,” he stated. “Revelry impacts neighbors and spills over onto our roads and into violence.” In parallel, city traffic officers executed 817 warrants of arrest and impounded 134 public transport vehicles. Over the broader week, enforcement departments collectively made 407 arrests, underscoring the intensity of operations aimed at maintaining order and safety. These measures reflect ongoing efforts to address rising concerns over public safety and disorder, particularly in areas such as Khayelitsha, where recent thefts have prompted swift responses from local authorities. The combination of heightened enforcement and increased emergency calls points to a complex challenge facing city officials. While specific details on future strategies remain unclear, the current focus appears to be on sustaining operational capacity and addressing immediate threats to community well-being. As the situation evolves, continued monitoring and adaptive policing tactics will likely play a crucial role in managing the growing pressures on urban infrastructure and public safety systems.