‘Dialling-drivers’ to fork out R1 500

CAPE TOWN – Drivers bust in the city while “driving and dialling” will soon have to fork out at least R1 500 to get their cellphones back, a report said yesterday.

The Cape Argus reported that from the beginning of 2013, R1 500 was the fine for just a first offence and repeat offenders could end up paying as much as R4 000.
Bust drivers now pay R500 to get confiscated cellphones back but mayoral committee member JP Smith says that the new figures will be modelled on how much the impoundment costs the city.
These steep penalties mean repeat offenders will pay close to R4 000 before their phones are released.
The city hopes that the amount will act as a deterrent and cover the city’s costs of impounding the phone.
Since the new bylaw was instituted, 188 phones have been confiscated.
However, the Argus said it counted more than 50 drivers using their cellphones on three busy streets in Cape Town’s CBD. – News24

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