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Despite a bylaw prohibiting the use of cellphones while driving a vehicle, some motorists still use their devices when behind the wheel of a car. The City of Cape Town says that since July 2012 about 18 500 cell phones have been impounded. PHOTO: RICHARD ROBERTS
CELLPHONE USE WHILE DRIVING: NEARLY 20 000 CELLPHONES CONFISCATED
No mobile while mobile RICHARD ROBERTS @richardjohn_rj
D
espite a law prohibiting drivers from using their cellphones while behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, some motorists still disregard the law and continue to use their mobile devices while on the road. Since the law came into effect nearly a decade ago, the City of Cape Town has confiscated nearly 20 000 cellphones. Just recently a total of five motorists were spotted using their cellphones while behind the wheel on the road between Table View and Bellville.
“The reality is that this law has been in existence for more than a decade and noncompliance cannot be blamed on ignorance of the law. It is rather the misperception that people will not be caught or simply blatant disregard for the law that continues to fuel this type of behaviour,” says JP Smith, Mayco member for safety and security and social services. Smith says the prohibition on the use of cellphones is stipulated in both the National Road Traffic Act and the City of Cape Town’s Traffic Bylaw. The bylaw makes provision for the impoundment of mobile devices in instances where motorists are found using these while driving.
“The City reminds motorists on an all-tooregular basis on various platforms about the dangers of using cellphones while driving,” Smith says. He told TygerBurger more than 18 500 cellphones have been impounded since July 2012. “By June 2015, 4182 phones had been collected,” he said. According to Smith, a total of 300 of these impounded devices were made available to neighbourhood watch members in August 2016. “Cellphone usage while driving – distracted driving due to texting or talking on the phone while operating a motor vehicle – is
one of the five major reasons for road deaths, along with alcohol use (drunk driving), speeding, not maintaining a safe following distance, and not wearing a safety belt. “It’s important that the public realises the seriousness of this offence. In addition, distracted drivers are also more vulnerable to attacks like hijackings or smash-and-grab incidents. We therefore encourage motorists to put their cellphones in a safe place while driving and to refrain from using them until they have come to a complete stop and their vehicle is switched off, for their own safety as well as the safety of other road users.” V What is your opinion on this article? Let us know at briewe@tygerburger.co.za.