Cape Town - The city has impounded nearly 60 public transport vehicles in five days in a double-sided campaign focusing on public transport operators and seatbelt use.
Complaints about public transport vehicles and illegal drivers prompted the city’s traffic services to launch “Operation Restore” on Wednesday 10 September.
So far, 25 people have been arrested, 838 have been fined and 56 vehicles impounded. The suburb of Table View yielded the most arrests, with Delft leading the impoundment tally and Philippi drivers raking in the most fines.
Seven of the arrested drivers were taken into custody for reckless and negligent driving, while most of the others were arrested for outstanding warrants. Of those checked, 192 vehicles were found to be overloaded and 147 drivers were unlicensed.
“These statistics prove the disregard that some public transport operators have for their passengers, without whom they wouldn’t be in business in the first place.”
Mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith said: “Public transport is a vital cog in our economic machinery, but just like everyone else, they need to operate within the bounds of the law.”
This week, Cape Town Traffic Services will turn its focus to seatbelts.
“Many people still ignore this very basic safety mechanism that could mean the difference between life and death,” Smith said. “Most cars nowadays are fitted with seatbelts in the front and rear seats, so motorists really have no excuse not to strap in their children.”
The punishment for not wearing a seatbelt or driving with a faulty belt is R500 – but failing to secure a child under the age of 14 will earn the driver a R1000 fine.
The Argus