CoCT cracks down on illegal parking: Vehicles to be towed and impounded with over R3k release fee
JP Smith says the traffic department has reintroduced lift trucks, which will be used to tow abandoned vehicles and those parked on red lines.
CapeTalk's Clarence Ford speaks to Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security at City of Cape Town, JP Smith.
The City of Cape Town has reintroduced a vertical lift truck to its traffic towing fleet, to better deal with illegally parked vehicles (cars, motorbikes, e-bikes, etc).
This brings the fleet to seven vehicles, with plans to add three more soon.
The vertical lift truck had been used before on a contract basis, and is now back in service due to its effectiveness.
Under Section 56 of Cape Town’s traffic by-laws, cars can be towed if they block traffic. The National Road Traffic Act also allows towing if a car is left dangerously or in a metered spot for over seven days.
Smith says these lift trucks are long overdue and will be used specifically for vehicles parked on red lines, in red parking bays and park obstructively, inconveniencing other motorists and pedestrians.
If a car is towed, it can be collected at the impound lot, after paying the impoundment fee which is upwards of R3,000 - depending on the size of the vehicle.
In addition to paying the impound fee, a fine for parking illegally will be issued.
"We have long needed to replenish our towing fleet, so we did procure new tow trucks to deal with vehicles obstructing the roads, vehicles parked and left in the road while the owner goes shopping, abandoned vehicles and illegally parked vehicles... we do have vehicles that park on red lines, and in those cases the law does dictate that towing is appropriate."
- JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security - City of Cape Town
"Traffic officers make the determination whether they tow or not, they're only doing it in very extreme cases, and we're only doing it in very extreme cases where the vehicle causes an obstruction and is parked on a red line in a manner that's obstructive to other traffic..."
- JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security - City of Cape Town
"I called for the stats last night and it confirms that they're exercising great discretion, and 11 to 15 vehicles are being towed per month... that's less than one vehicle a day."
- JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security - City of Cape Town
Should a car be towed, Smith advises to call the traffic department or emergency call centre number on 021 480 7700 to confirm if the car has been towed.
The general rule is, "Stay out of illegal parking bays and red lines," says Smith.
"You're in a place where parking is not meant to take place, you've exceeded the limit, there are fines issued - but the towing is for obstructive vehicles that are inconsiderately parked in a way that's making life difficult for pedestrians or other road users in a space where you should clearly not be parking."
- JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security - City of Cape Town
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.