Cape Town motorists caught talking or texting on their cellphones will be fined R500 and have their phones confiscated for a day, the city said on Monday.<\/p>\n
Safety and security mayoral committee member JP Smith hoped these measures would “help people get the message” and improve road safety.<\/p>\n
He said the new bylaw, in effect from Monday, formed part of the provincial road safety campaign to halve road deaths by 2014.<\/p>\n
According to the Cape Times, Cape Town was the only city where the road death toll was steadily decreasing, from 1739 deaths in 2008 to 1321 in 2011.<\/p>\n
Confiscated cellphones could be collected at the Gallow Hills Traffic Department, in Green Point, after 24-hours. Motorists would have to show their identity documents.<\/p>\n
“Phones will be placed in very secure containers, which have a double seal [and serial number]. The box will be sealed and opened in front of the motorist,” Smith said.<\/p>\n
The centre was a 24-hour facility, so impoundments over weekends would not be delayed.<\/p>\n
“We’re hoping we don’t have to confiscate any phones. We’re losing a lot of money through the additional administrative tasks. It’s the officers’ time, the admin personnel that have to be assigned to this duty.”<\/p>\n
Smith said impoundment fees would probably be introduced in a year, to offset the administrative costs.<\/p>\n
According to the report, phones would be sealed in a box and people given a serial number.<\/p>\n
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