The checks, available at City testing centres this week, form part of the City’s road safety initiatives over the festive season.
The City of Cape Town’s Traffic Service is throwing open the doors to motorists who want to check their vehicles before hitting the road this holiday.
The checks are designed to give motorists peace of mind before they set off on their journey and involves checking tyres, brake lights, wipers etc.
If any defects are found, motorists are advised to have them attended to, in the interest of their safety, as well as the safety of other road users.
‘Road safety isn’t about enforcement only, but also education and awareness. By offering the free vehicle safety checks, our staff are able to help motorists identify issues that they were not even aware of, so I encourage the public to make use of the opportunity.
‘While the checks are offered with long distance trips in mind, anyone can take their vehicle in. I’d actually encourage that, even if you’re just spending time around Cape Town this festive season. We encounter so many motorists on our highways and arterial roads who experience mechanical issues and end up at risk of falling victim to opportunistic criminals, so this is an opportunity to minimise that risk,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
The free vehicle safety checks are available at the following vehicle testing centres daily until Friday 13 December 2019 between 08:00 and 14:00:
Bellville, Reed Street
Brackenfell, corner of Kruispad and Reservoir Streets
Durbanville, 93B De Villiers Drive
Gallow’s Hill, corner of Ebenezer and Somerset Roads, Green Point
Goodwood, corner of Frans Conradie and Hugo Streets
Hillstar, Plantation Road, Ottery,
Joe Gqabi, corner of Stock and Market Roads, Philippi East
Kuils River, Fabriek Street
Meanwhile, on the streets, Traffic Service made 112 arrests in the last week. Officers also impounded 82 taxis, 87 cellphones and issued 41 654 fines for various offences.
Just more than half of the arrests (61) were for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Officers also arrested seven motorcycle delivery drivers one for driving under the influence and six for possession of fraudulent licences.
‘We’ve seen a massive increase in the number of motorcycle delivery drivers around the city, and while one can understand why companies would choose this option, the onus is on them to ensure that their drivers have valid licences and obey the rules of the road. Cape Town already has a number of challenges with regards to road safety; we really can’t afford to add another to the list,’ added Alderman Smith.
The City’s Metro Police Department arrested 35 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol. One suspect faced additional charges of reckless and negligent driving, malicious damage to property and failing to comply with a lawful instruction. Elsewhere, officers arrested 16 suspects for various offences ranging from Illegal possession of drugs, rape and assault, illegal possession of stolen property and possession of a dangerous weapon. Officers also issued 1 197 fines for bylaw and traffic contraventions.
Source: City Of Cape Town