RTI officers have been involved in two high-speed chases in less than a month. With the lives of innocent motorists put at risk, reckless drivers have attempted to flee routine stops. On Monday, a red Audi RS failed to stop at a manned speed trap on the N3 near Estcourt. An RTI officer attempting to stop the vehicle had to jump out of the way, as the driver sped through.
The car, which was timed doing in excess of 190km/h, was finally stopped by officers at the Tugela Toll Plaza.
This was the second high-speed chase in less than a month.
An RTI officer pulled a Jeep Cherokee off for a number plate offence on Saturday, August 23, and while the driver seemed to be complying with the officer, he suddenly jumped back into his vehicle and rammed the RTI vehicle, injuring the officer.
The driver then sped away, almost losing control and entering the oncoming lane. The fleeing driver regained control of his vehicle and sped towards Van Reenen.
He smashed through the Tugela Toll Plaza, destroying a boom gate.
The driver was eventually stopped by RTI officers on a dirt road near Van Reenen.
He was removed from his SUV and handcuffed. Despite being handcuffed with his hands behind his back, the man managed to once again get into his vehicle and flee, this time speeding down Van Reenen’s Pass towards Ladysmith.
He again smashed through a boom gate at the Toll Plaza and was later caught by RTI officers near Besters police station. He faces multiple road-related offences and criminal charges, including drunk driving and attempted murder.
