Cape Town - A 27-year-old man has been arrested after a high-speed chase through the city saw him jump 14 sets of traffic lights and speed into oncoming traffic on Sunday morning.
City Traffic Services spokeswoman Maxine Jordaan said officers moved in after they had monitored a drag race between a Nissan Sabre and a white Volkswagen along Wespoort Drive in Mitchells Plain at about 1am.
Jordaan said the Nissan driver, from Mitchells Plain, reached a speed of 130km/h as the officers pursued him for the next 15 minutes.
“He flew through intersections. During the pursuit, he pushed another motorist off the roadway. He also tried to knock into our vehicle and bike patrol.
“The speedster was chased from Wespoort drive towards AZ Berman Drive on to the R300, from where he sped towards Vanguard Drive and back in the direction of Mitchells Plain.”
Jordaan said he crossed Morgenster Road towards Spine Road, then to Weltevreden Parkway, where he drove into oncoming traffic. Motorists had to swerve out of his way.
She said he then turned into Spine Road and down into Merrydale Avenue, before he was eventually caught in Mitchells Avenue, where his car ran out of fuel.
A STRING OF CHARGES
“He was arrested for reckless and negligent driving, participating in an illegal street race on a public road and attempted murder.”
Jordaan said that at 3am, two other drivers, aged 21 and 22, were arrested after they allegedly drag-raced along Old Strandfontein Road. A docket has been opened for reckless and negligent driving and participating in an illegal street race at Grassy Park police station.
Jordaan said 22 people were arrested in last month for illegal racing.
She revealed drag racing hot spots included Wespoort Drive in Mitchells Plain, Old Strandfontein Road, Klipfontein Road in Athlone, the N1 highway, Sable Road in Century City and Robert Sobukwe Road in Bellville.
Jordaan warned that offenders could have their licences suspended for 18 months and be fined up to R20 000 for illegal street racing.
Cape Times