It's official: Traffic By-Law amendments have been gazetted!
30 July 2026
The publishing of the amended by-law in the Provincial Gazette clears the way for the implementation of the provisions. The City’s Traffic Service is now finalising the administrative logistics required for enforcement.
This has been a lengthy process and we are very happy to finally hit this milestone. On behalf of the Safety and Security Portfolio Committee, I want to thank each and every person involved in making these amendments a reality. Also, to the public for the very robust engagement during our public participation process – thank you. We sincerely appreciate everyone’s time and effort over the past three years,’ said Chairperson, Councillor Mzwakhe Nqavashe.
A reminder to the public that the amendments centre on the provisions for impounding vehicles and related penalties.
Now that it has been gazetted, Traffic Officers are able to impound vehicles in a number of instances, including where:
vehicles are used in illegal street racing
the driver is under the influence or does not have a valid licence
the vehicle is being driven on a public road in a manner that is reckless and poses an immediate or imminent danger to the life of passengers, road users, or pedestrians
vehicles fitted with false number plates or not having the prescribed minimum number plates
In the last 12 months, between July 2025 and June 2026, the City’s Traffic Service recorded nearly four million offences.
During the period, they made 2 767 arrests, up from 2 255 the year before.
Drunk driving arrests increased by 32% from 1 619 in 2024/25 to 2 138.
‘The traffic enforcement statistics and the hundreds of thousands of complaints every year are key reasons why we introduced this by-law in the first place, and then spent three years working on even tougher amendments, to address the continued lawlessness on our roads. Our Traffic Management is now working to finalise the logistics for practical implementation. To the motoring public, you have had sufficient warning. If you haven’t already changed your ways, please find alignment with the law before it’s too late,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
