Last week the City of Cape Town’s Traffic Services were asked what can be done to address illegal driver behaviour in areas such as Milnerton and Table View. Councillors were discussing the report for traffic services for the month of July at the monthly Subcouncil 3 meeting held on Thursday last week, when these questions were raised.
According to the latest report, a total of 5 980 speeding violations had been recorded by cameras in the entire Subcouncil. These include wards 1, 4, 5, 104 and 113.
Anthony Benadie, Ward 4 councillor, said in Phoenix and Joe Slovo Park traffic is chaotic. He said motorists park in the streets, taxis do whatever they want in the main roads, and illegal car washes operate in the area. He also said there were heaps of abandoned cars in the area. Ward 4 includes Milnerton, Sanddrift and Summer Greens.
In July, 265 moving violations (traffic lights, stop signs and arrows) were recorded involving taxis, and 687 involving normal vehicles. Nine taxis were impounded during the month in Ward 4.
Benadie wanted to know what could be done, as the situation was totally out of hand.
“Furthermore, at Omuramba Road crossing it is almost impossible to cross the road with all the bad behaviour from motorists,” he said.
Chief traffic inspector Arno Schronen informed Benadie that traffic officers often conducted operations with other role-players in his area, the last one on 16 August.
Schronen said big operations with Metro police, Law Enforcement and the police can be held in the area. Often, operations were done with departments such as Roads and Transport, and Solid Waste.
Benadie wanted to know if daily checks could be done by officials on patrol.
Schronen explained this was possible, that officers do conduct daily patrols, although the impact may not be as noticeable. “Because one would go there, do what has to be done and then leave.”
He said bigger operations had more of an impact.
Sue van der Linde, councillor for Ward 113, said taxis that use the bus lane were a problem in her ward. They often used the lane when the traffic lights were out. “This happens every time, and someone is going to get knocked down,” she said.
According to the latest report there had been 791 offences recorded involving taxis throughout Subcouncil 3.
Schronen explained that faulty traffic lights needed to be reported. “There is a number on the light pole, phone it in so the transport information centre can respond,” he said. “Or, call the 107-emergency line.”
