Motorists caught driving under the influence, street racing, or driving recklessly in Cape Town could soon have their vehicles impounded under new amendments to the City’s Traffic By-law.

The amendments were approved by Council this week and are expected to come into effect once officially gazetted. The new rules will allow traffic officers to impound vehicles involved in serious traffic offences, including the use of false number plates and driving without a valid licence.

The City says the changes are aimed at reducing dangerous behaviour on the roads and improving public safety.

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says existing penalties have failed to stop reckless driving.

“The existing measures have done little to deter this kind of behaviour or address the general lawlessness that we witness on our roads daily,” said Smith.

The City says more impoundments are expected under the amended by-law and plans are already underway to expand the Ndabeni impound facility and establish a larger pound.

According to the City’s Traffic Crash Report, more than 3,000 people died in traffic crashes in Cape Town between 2021 and 2024.

Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, says the amendments are aimed at improving road safety.

“It is absolutely shocking to see how many people are killed and injured on our roads every day, the majority being pedestrians who are extremely vulnerable, especially when drivers speed or don’t stop. We can save lives and avoid traffic crashes by keeping to the rules of the road. And for those who don’t, there will now be severe consequences,” said Quintas.