A Cape Town city councillor is taking a lone stand in a crusade against reckless drivers in a suburb notorious for road hogs.
Armed with an armful of pamphlets, Rhynhard Bresler takes to the streets twice a month in the suburb of Kraaifontein, notorious for road violations, to hand out pamphlets to passing motorists.
Member of the City of Cape Town’s safety and security portfolio committee, Bresler has to date handed out thousands of pamphlets to passing motorists, in a grassroots campaign he plans to expand in coming months.
His message to motorists is stern: “Stop in the name of life!”
As drivers, he says, the decision to stop at a stop street is in the hands of motorists, not the traffic officer issuing a ticket.
“The key to preventing accidents at stop streets is simple: self-discipline. By committing to stop fully, as required by law, we can protect ourselves, our families, and everyone on the road,” he says.
“Stop doesn’t mean slow down and go; it means a complete stop, every time, for every driver. It’s easy to point fingers at others, or blame the traffic department, but true change starts with us. Drive according to the law and set the example for those around you.”
Be part of the solution
Bresler continuously urges motorists to stop being part of the problem.
“Stop and take responsibility. Start with yourself to solve the problem and keep our loved ones safe, he says.
“Everywhere I go, I see motorists not stopping at stop streets and traffic lights. I’ve seen delivery scooters, taxis, school buses, and even police cars not stopping when they should,” he told TygerBurger.
READ ALSO: Cape Town tests AI traffic cameras to catch seatbelt and mobile phone violations
Bresler says City’s traffic officers cannot police every crossing in the city, and it is up to every single road user to foster better road discipline.
“This campaign aims to foster a cultural shift. It’s counterproductive when communities call for enhanced traffic measures yet remain unwilling to contribute to the solution themselves,” he says.
With soaring accident statistics in the City, Bresler believes that driver discipline plays a vital role in reducing the numbers.
The majority of road accidents are caused by driver mistakes. People are constantly in a hurry, speeding, failing to stop or overtaking when it is not safe.
According to the City of Cape Town’s 2025 Traffic Crash Report (2021–2024), a total of 3 007 people were killed in 262 225 traffic crashes over this four-year period; that is on average, one death every 11 hours and 40 minutes, with 68% being pedestrians.
“The majority of road accidents are caused by driver mistakes,” he says. “People are constantly in a hurry, speeding, failing to stop or overtaking when it is not safe.”
The campaign has garnered an encouraging response thus far. “When I approach motorists, many respond with sheepish grins—a silent acknowledgement of their behaviour while demonstrating genuine receptiveness to change,” he explains. He notes that he regularly receives appreciative messages from road users expressing gratitude for his initiative.
“When people complain among themselves about inadequate traffic enforcement, I want them to pause and ask one another: ‘Do you stop?’”
