Committee applauds enactment of amended Traffic-Bylaw provisions
02 August 2023
STATEMENT BY THE CITY’S SAFETY AND SECURITY PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON, COUNCILLOR MZWAKHE NQAVASHE
The City's Safety and Security Portfolio Committee notes the robust debate that has followed the implementation of the provisions of the amended Traffic By-law – specifically the impoundment of private vehicles.
Between 23 and 30 July 2023, the City's Traffic Service impounded 30 private vehicles in terms of the amended by-law.
As an aside, officers impounded 306 public transport vehicles during the same period.
In 2019, the City's Safety and Security Portfolio Committee spearheaded a review of the Traffic by-law, first introduced in 2011, which included a widely publicised public participation process.
The amendments were designed to address the ongoing disregard for law and order on our roads, and the carnage that so often accompanies it.
We found ourselves in a position where, despite all of the measures introduced over time to improve the behaviour of road users and safety in general, little had changed – motorists arrested for very serious transgressions would simply be back behind the steering wheel just a day or two later.
In 2022, the amended by-law was gazetted. It covers numerous aspects, including making provision for the impoundment of vehicles in certain instances, including:
- Where the vehicle was involved in reckless or negligent driving or illegal street racing
- The driver is under the influence of alcohol
- The driver is unlicensed
- The driver disobeys an instruction to stop or pull over, resulting in pursuit
- The vehicle is unregistered, has an expired licence disc older than 90 days, is not roadworthy or has been abandoned
The amendments were unanimously approved by the multi-party Portfolio Committee, in a bid to make Cape Town's roads safer.
Many have welcomed the amendments, but as anticipated, there are detractors who have now taken aim at those tasked with enforcing the by-law.
What many fail to understand, is that the law is simply that – the law, and it applies to all, equally.
The criticism that our efforts and energy should be devoted to 'real criminals' is all too familiar, and sadly short-sighted.
It is criminal too, to intentionally remove a vehicle's number plate to avoid detection and consequences for turning public roads into race tracks, and endangering others.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
