Latest news with #NationalRoadTrafficAct
TimesLIVE
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Cape Town motorists ‘getting the message' about mobile phones
Cape Town's traffic services have recorded a downturn in cellphone impoundments and fines over the past two years. This is likely due to a combination of increased in-vehicle technology and greater compliance from road users, according to mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith. '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,' he said. '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.' Cellphone impoundments dropped by 16% between July 2022 and June 2024, while fines for cellphone-related offences dropped by 11.5%. The use of cellphones while driving is prohibited by the National Road Traffic Act and motorists can be fined, said Smith. 'The city's traffic bylaw 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 bylaw 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 refocused its efforts to donating cellphones to neighbourhood watches. Since June 2024, 226 cellphones have been donated to neighbourhood watches in a number of areas, including Kleinvlei, Mfuleni, Diep River, Sir Lowry's Pass Village, Khayelitsha, Atlantis, Delft, Manenberg and Mitchells Plain, said Smith.
TimesLIVE
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Downturn in motorist cellphone impoundments in Cape Town
Traffic authorities have noted a downturn in the number of cellphone impoundments and fines issued over two years to motorists caught using the devices behind the wheel. The use of cellphones while driving is prohibited under the National Road Traffic Act. '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,' the city's MMC for safety and security JP Smith said on Friday. The number of cellphones impounded between July 2022 and June 2023 totalled 5,260 while 10,597 fines were issued. Those numbers decreased to 4,424 and 9,373 respectively between July 2023 and June 2024. In addition to the National Road Traffic Act the city's traffic bylaw states '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'. It also makes provision for cellphones to be impounded — and reclaimed once the fine and an impoundment release fee is paid. Unclaimed phones are disposed of or given to neighbourhood watches. Smith said since June 2024, 226 cellphones were donated to neighbourhood watches in areas including Kleinvlei, Mfuleni, Diep River, Sir Lowry's Pass Village, Khayelitsha, Atlantis, Delft, Manenberg and Mitchells Plain. 'We will continue to enforce the law and make our roads safer for everyone, but this status update is encouraging news indeed,' said Smith. Impoundment and fine statistics for July 2024 to March 2025 are yet to be released but projections pointed to further reductions.
IOL News
22-04-2025
- IOL News
KZN sees dramatic reduction in Easter weekend road fatalities
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport has reported a significant drop in road fatalities over the Easter weekend, marking a notable improvement compared to the same period last year. According to department spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya, this improvement follows a coordinated road safety operation involving disaster management teams and traffic enforcement officials. These teams were strategically deployed to high-traffic areas, including the N3 northbound route and the Marian Hill Toll Plaza. Speaking on the sidelines on the Marian Hill Toll plaza on Monday with Newzroom Afrika, Sibiya said: 'Last night and this morning, the MEC Siboniso Duma spoke to me and expressed his deep appreciation to the motorists who are working here tonight. He also saluted the highly efficient team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate, working in collaboration with the Road Traffic Management Corporation and national authorities.'' As part of the intensified campaign, approximately 120 traffic officers were dispatched across major routes such as the N2 and N3. These teams used advanced monitoring technologies, including the uMemezi Wezimoto, an anti-crime software that the MEC launched on Friday. 'We've been able to detect motorists masquerading as worshippers to avoid checkpoints. About 77 vehicles were impounded for operating without valid permits, 258 motorists were charged for speeding, and 13 individuals were arrested for drinking and driving,' Sibiya revealed. He emphasised that stricter legal measures are being applied to offenders. 'The MEC said we are aiming for six-year prison sentences, leveraging the amended National Road Traffic Act to ensure that offenders face serious consequences.' Comparing the outcomes to the previous year, Sibiya highlighted a remarkable reduction in fatalities. ''More than 15,600 cars have been stopped and checked by the teams,'' he said. Sibiya noted that they were quite happy with how they had executed the road safety campaign. 'We had around 21 crashes and fatalities during this period last year. This year, unfortunately, there have been six fatalities—but that's still a significant improvement.' Moreover, Sibiya said the province's heightened enforcement operations will continue over the upcoming public holidays, including Freedom Day on April 28 and Workers' Day on May 1, 2025. Authorities will maintain a strong focus on unlicensed vehicles, roadworthiness, and incidents of drinking and driving, he said. 'We don't want moving coffins on our roads,' Sibiya said. 'We've been extremely strict, and that's why the MEC has extended his gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to the road safety campaign.'
