Launch a zero-tolerance crackdown on phone use while driving in Joburg
The Issue
Every day, as I navigate the bustling streets of Johannesburg on my motorbike, I witness firsthand the reckless and perilous behavior of drivers engrossed in their mobile phones. The sight of distracted drivers, more focused on their screens than the road, has become alarmingly commonplace, turning our roads into deadly zones, not just for bikers like me, but for all road users.
The lack of attention compromises everyone's safety and urgently demands action. The World Health Organization has highlighted that distracted driving due to mobile phone use significantly increases the risk of accidents. This is not just a local issue but a global epidemic that requires stringent measures.
Statistics show that drivers who use mobile phones while driving are four times more likely to be involved in an accident than those who don't. In Johannesburg alone, road traffic accidents rank as one of the leading causes of injury and death. These numbers represent lives lost and families broken.
A crackdown on phone use while driving would not only serve as a deterrent but would also save countless lives. Cities around the world have successfully reduced road accidents by implementing stringent fines and penalties for phone use while driving. Johannesburg needs to follow suit. By introducing high fines, demerit points, and increasing traffic patrols focused on this issue, JMPD can effectively curb this dangerous behavior.
In addition to distracted driving, another pressing issue is drivers traveling at dangerously low speeds, such as 40 - 50 kilometers per hour on highways. This behavior causes significant traffic congestion and increases the risk of accidents as faster-moving vehicles are forced to brake suddenly or swerve. Such practices disrupt traffic flow and compromise road safety for everyone.
We need to create awareness about the severe consequences of both distracted driving and improper speed management, ensuring that traffic laws are enforced vigorously to protect all road users. Let's adopt successful strategies from other cities and make Johannesburg's roads safer for everyone.
Please take immediate and decisive action by adopting a zero-tolerance approach to phone use while driving and addressing the issue of unsafe driving speeds on highways. Your leadership could be a step towards saving countless lives.
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The Issue
Every day, as I navigate the bustling streets of Johannesburg on my motorbike, I witness firsthand the reckless and perilous behavior of drivers engrossed in their mobile phones. The sight of distracted drivers, more focused on their screens than the road, has become alarmingly commonplace, turning our roads into deadly zones, not just for bikers like me, but for all road users.
The lack of attention compromises everyone's safety and urgently demands action. The World Health Organization has highlighted that distracted driving due to mobile phone use significantly increases the risk of accidents. This is not just a local issue but a global epidemic that requires stringent measures.
Statistics show that drivers who use mobile phones while driving are four times more likely to be involved in an accident than those who don't. In Johannesburg alone, road traffic accidents rank as one of the leading causes of injury and death. These numbers represent lives lost and families broken.
A crackdown on phone use while driving would not only serve as a deterrent but would also save countless lives. Cities around the world have successfully reduced road accidents by implementing stringent fines and penalties for phone use while driving. Johannesburg needs to follow suit. By introducing high fines, demerit points, and increasing traffic patrols focused on this issue, JMPD can effectively curb this dangerous behavior.
In addition to distracted driving, another pressing issue is drivers traveling at dangerously low speeds, such as 40 - 50 kilometers per hour on highways. This behavior causes significant traffic congestion and increases the risk of accidents as faster-moving vehicles are forced to brake suddenly or swerve. Such practices disrupt traffic flow and compromise road safety for everyone.
We need to create awareness about the severe consequences of both distracted driving and improper speed management, ensuring that traffic laws are enforced vigorously to protect all road users. Let's adopt successful strategies from other cities and make Johannesburg's roads safer for everyone.
Please take immediate and decisive action by adopting a zero-tolerance approach to phone use while driving and addressing the issue of unsafe driving speeds on highways. Your leadership could be a step towards saving countless lives.
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Petition created on 1 March 2026