Cellphones – are motorists finally getting the message?

25 April 2025

The City’s Traffic Services have recorded a downturn in cellphone impoundments and fines over the past two years – likely due to a combination of increased in-vehicle technology and greater compliance from road users.

‘The phenomenon of distracted driving continues to be a challenge, but the downturn in statistics does suggest that some drivers have stopped blue-ticking our appeals to not use their cellphones while driving. We are also mindful that more newer vehicles come with standard features that allow for hands-free use of devices, and that has likely played a role. We will continue to enforce the law and make our roads safer for everyone, but this status update is encouraging news indeed,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Cellphone impounds dropped by 16% between July 2022 and June 2024, while fines for cellphone-related offences dropped by 11,5%.

Projections for this financial year point to further reductions.

The use of cellphones while driving is prohibited by the National Road Traffic Act, and motorists can be fined.

The City’s Traffic by-law also addresses the issue, and indicates that no person may drive a vehicle on a public road while holding a mobile telephone in one or both hands or any other part of the body. 

The by-law also makes provision for cellphones to be impounded.

Devices can be reclaimed once the fine and impoundment release fees are paid. Those that are not claimed are disposed of.

The City has also re-focused its efforts to donating cellphones to Neighbourhood Watches (NW).

Since June 2024, a total of 226 cellphones have been donated to NWs in a number of areas, including Kleinvlei, Mfuleni, Diep River, Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, Khayelitsha, Atlantis, Delft, Manenberg and Mitchells Plain.

In the most recent handover, Alderman Smith handed over devices to the Edgemead NW on Thursday, 24 April 2025.

‘We’ve worked hard to find a mechanism for redistributing the devices that are not reclaimed, and it has been challenging, but I am happy to see some progress. These smart phones are especially useful for Neighbourhood Watches to access our Trusted Partner App, which was specifically designed to improve communication and coordination between safety stakeholders. At our most recent mass information session for Neighbourhood Watches, we featured a demonstration on how this app enhances incident reporting and real-time response efforts,’ added Alderman Smith.
 
Caption 1: A file photograph of a cellphone impoundment
Caption 2: Members of the Edgemead Neighbourhood Watch with some of the donated devices

End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office