The N2 in Cape Town (Photo: Shutterstock)
The FF Plus has welcomed new amendments to the City of Cape Town’s traffic by-laws and believes it is a necessary step to make the city’s roads safer amid worrying statistics about collisions and deaths.
According to Emre Uygun, FF Plus councilor of the City of Cape Town, the latest figures show that taking action against reckless drivers can no longer be postponed.
“The statistics of collisions and deaths on Cape Town’s roads remain alarmingly high and therefore the FF Plus welcomes the amendments to the traffic regulations that were approved at a council meeting of the City of Cape Town,” says Uygun.
He points out that the party meets monthly with representatives of Sanral and that the extent of the problem is constantly under the magnifying glass.
“According to a Sanral report, between 700 and 750 deaths are recorded annually on the city’s roads. This is in addition to the more than 65,000 reported car accidents per year. These figures are simply unacceptable and confirm that stricter enforcement of traffic laws has become essential.”
Greater powers for officers
The new amendments give authorized officers greater powers to impound vehicles in cases where motorists commit serious traffic offences.
(Archive photo for illustration: RTMC)
Uygun says vehicles will be impounded without prior notice if they are involved in illegal street racing or dangerous driving.
He says vehicles can also be impounded if a driver is driving without a valid driver’s license, is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fails to stop when required by officers or obstructs traffic and emergency access.
“It is important that the public understands that these measures are being introduced to protect lives. Drivers who break the law and endanger other people’s safety must know there will be consequences.”
The amendments also include dangerous driving behavior such as driving on the shoulder of a road, moving into oncoming traffic, ignoring traffic lights or stop streets and overtaking on solid lines.
According to Uygun, it is precisely this kind of behavior that often causes serious accidents.
“These actions not only put the driver’s own life at risk, but also those of innocent motorists, pedestrians and emergency personnel. We see too often how reckless behavior has tragic consequences.”
Drunk driving is a major concern
Uygun says the FF Plus is particularly concerned about the large number of motorists who still drive under the influence.
“It is worrying for the FF Plus that 108 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol during the recent long weekend, which included Independence Day as a public holiday.”
According to him, this figure indicates a greater problem of lawlessness on the roads.
“It is clear that the extent of lawlessness on the roads requires urgent and decisive action. When so many people are still willing to drive under the influence, despite the risks and existing legislation, it shows that stricter enforcement has become essential.”
He further emphasized that the criminal justice system often fails to successfully prosecute traffic criminals.
“Given the criminal justice system’s inability to consistently secure convictions against traffic offenders, these proposed amendments will provide much-needed protection to road users who are exposed to reckless and illegal behavior on our roads on a daily basis.”
Unroadworthy vehicles also targeted
The amendments further state that vehicles without number plates will not be released until valid plates are fitted.
Unroadworthy vehicles will also only be returned after a valid roadworthiness certificate has been presented.
Repeated road traffic offenses can also lead to a vehicle being impounded, while vehicles that cause excessive noise can also be impounded if the driver or owner is repeatedly found guilty of the same offence.
“The FF Plus supports every effort to strengthen and maintain the laws and regulations in Cape Town, especially at a time when criminals are often arrested without meaningful convictions.”
According to him, law-abiding road users should have the right to travel safely on Cape Town’s roads without being constantly exposed to reckless drivers.
“Road users deserve better protection. These amendments send a strong message that dangerous and illegal behavior on Cape Town’s roads will no longer be tolerated.”