Talking and texting while driving is somewhat of a cultural phenomenon in South Africa. There are those that are law abiding, but there are also those that don’t seem to care, and throw caution to the wind. But now Capetonians will face a R5 000 fine, and have their phone confiscated for a day for transgressing the law, it was reported in the Cape Times this morning.

A new City bylaw comes into effect from today making it a far better idea to buy yourself that hands-free kit, and save reading or writing that text or email, or updating that status, for when you reach your destination.

The new bylaw, that sees motorists facing a R5 000 fine, and having their phone confiscated for a day, forms part of the provincial road safety campaign to cut road deaths in half by 2014.

JP Smith, Safety and security mayoral committee member in the City, said Cape Town was the only city where the road death toll was decreasing steadily, from 1 739 deaths in 2008 to 1 321 in 2011.

So what will happen if you’re caught and your phone is confiscated? You’ll need to collect your confiscated cellphone at the Gallow Hills Traffic Department in Green Point after 24 hours. Motorists would have to show their identity books, and face the reality of a R5 000 fine.

The report said that phones would be sealed in a box, and people given a serial number.

Social media addicts, you have been warned.

UPDATE: The Western Cape Government has confirmed the fine is in fact R500, and not R5 000 as stated by the Cape Times.

[Source: Cape Times via News24]