Traffic officers disregard rules of the road, hit soft targets
WITH reference to the letter from Mr Richard Bosman (executive director, Safety and Security, City of Cape Town) on May 11 regarding the success or otherwise of the traffic department.
Mr Bosman refers to the department concentrating on “hot spots”. This is clearly a typo on his part. It should have read “soft spots”.
As an example, the number of traffic officers around Newlands Rugby Stadium on Saturday afternoon was clearly an income-generating exercise and not traffic control.
This is evidenced by the number of tickets issued to badly parked cars.
He should also look at the behaviour of his staff with regard to their total disregard for the rules of the road. There were three traffic department cars parked on the pavement at the intersection of Main and Boundary roads, which impeded the free flow of the spectators after the match.
I wonder if Mr Bosman, or perhaps the City Council spokesperson, could give the readers the following information:
The number of motorcycle traffic inspectors in the employ of the City this year and 10 years ago.
The number of traffic inspectors on permanent foot patrol in the employ of the City this year and 10 years ago.
The number of “ghost” patrol cars used by the City this year and 10 years ago.
The number of office staff employed by the traffic department in the employ of the City this year and 10 years ago.
The number of normal patrol cars used by the City this year and 10 years ago. The total hours worked (excluding office staff) worked by active traffic inspectors in the employ of the City this year and 10 years ago. Of the total tickets issued in 2017, what were the percentages issued in the following categories: Unroadworthy vehicles Unlicensed drivers Drunk driving Dangerous driving Other moving offences Parking Other stationary offences Jaywalking Disobeying traffic lights The number of motor vehicles registered in the Western Cape with their registration numbers starting with the following: CA, CY, CF, CFRR and CFM this year and 10 years ago.
The above figures will give readers a better picture of what is happening than the number of traffic fines issued by the traffic department.
A last question: Do the active traffic inspectors work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or are they only on duty at night on special events. RH Wroe-Street Rondebosch