The City of Cape Town has released draft amendments to its 15-year-old Traffic By-Law, proposing tougher measures to impound vehicles.
The draft amendments, made available to the public on Friday, state that a vehicle may be seized if it is involved in illegal racing, driven recklessly, operated without a valid permit, under the influence, or repeatedly in violation of traffic and parking laws. Vehicles can also be impounded if they obstruct critical infrastructure, ignore official signals, or accrue excessive demerit points.
READ MORE: Draft Traffic By-Law 2025.pdf
The Traffic By-Law was first promulgated in 2011 and underwent revision in 2019, with changes gazetted in 2022.
However, City officials say further tightening is needed. Councillor Mzwakhe Nqavashe, Chairperson of the City’s Safety and Security Portfolio Committee, explained that it is especially needed to “improve road safety and effect behaviour change in road users”.
“Unfortunately, we continue to see widespread disregard for applicable national legislation and the by-law, and that is why we went back to the drawing board.”
The new amendments place particular emphasis on impoundments.
“The amendments that have been tabled are once more centred on impoundments, with a view to providing greater clarity to road users and the staff tasked with enforcing the legislation,” Nqavashe added.
The City says the stricter approach is intended to “curb reckless driving and reduce the risks faced by road users” while promoting an orderly transport system.
“The persistent complaints about driver behaviour has to be addressed. Our enforcement staff use everything at their disposal to tackle the issue, but nothing changes, so we need to ramp up our efforts, to protect lives and the interests of law-abiding citizens,” stressed the Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith.
Residents can make submissions on the draft amendments over the course of a month, until 19 October, with the public participation process having opened on Friday, 19 September.
- E-mail: traffic.bylaw@capetown.gov.za
- Written: Attention: Pamela Mkosi, Traffic Services, Gallows Hill Traffic Department, Corner of Ebenezer and Somerset Rd, Green Point, Cape Town, 8001
- Telephonic comments: 021 444 7691 – between 08:00 and 16:30 on weekdays
“Special assistance will be given to people who cannot read or write people with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups who are unable to submit written comments. To have their inputs or comments recorded and submitted to the municipality. For such purpose, members of the above-mentioned groups may contact the City of Cape Town Public Participation Unit: For Disadvantaged Group’s Assistance, contact Anathi Dywili on telephone 021 400 9825 or email anathi.dywili@capetown.gov.za,” read the City’s statement.
