A taxi driver, who claimed he was stressed, was arrested on Tuesday after he narrowly missed crashing into a police vehicle and two other cars.

The acting spokesperson for the Edenvale SAPS, Lieutenant Colonel Robbie Roberts, said he was patrolling on Seventeenth Avenue when the incident occurred.

“I indicated to turn into Hendrik Potgieter Street and as I turned, the driver of the taxi skipped the red traffic light. He was travelling at approximately 80 kilometres an hour.

“I watched as he missed two other vehicles crossing the intersection before he narrowly missed hitting my police vehicle,” said Lt Col Roberts.

He added that he chased after the taxi and forced the driver to stop.

“When I questioned why he had skipped the traffic light the driver said he was stressed. He then offered me R200 to let him go,” said Lt Col Roberts.

The driver was arrested on the spot and later charged with reckless and negligent driving, as well as bribery.

The taxi driver appeared in the Edenvale Magistrate’s Court yesterday.