On Sunday morning some of us woke up to the news of a horrific accident in Midrand on the N1 North’s Maxwell Drive Bridge between Allandale and Buccleauh Drives, where nine people died.
It is alleged that a Toyota Quantum minibus crashed into the concrete centre barrier while the spare wheel of the minibus flew into a VW Polo driving in the opposite direction.
Although the cause of the accident is still unknown, it is alleged that the mini bus lost control of the vehicle. The police are still investigating.
This is one of the accidents which highlights many people’s fear of using public transport, especially minibus taxis because if you have ever been a commuter or shared the road with taxis, then you would know that many of them do not respect or abide by the rules of the road.
If you are a regular driver, you would also know that as soon a taxi indicates it doesn’t mean that it’s making a turn 5 metres from where it is but right there and then. Sometimes this also means the taxi is not even making a turn but it is about to stop in the middle of the road for a passenger to get off.
Believe me, this is a common language which many new and seasoned drivers are forced to learn as soon as possible when driving in the CBD or township.
I learnt very early in my driving years not to drive very close to a taxi in front of me because anything can happen when least expected.
I always wonder if these drivers have a special academy of sorts where they learn how to drive, which many of us are not aware of because they all drive the same on the road.
These drivers have no problem, whatsoever, overtaking more than five cars, facing on coming traffic, which forces it to slow down and make way for them.
They are risking not only their own lives but those of the commuters who are sometimes scared to speak out because that might propel the driver’s careless and reckless behaviour to get worse.
Anyway, while following the developments on road accidents, City of Johannesburg MMC for Safety Michael Sun in his interview with Kieno Kammies of 702 said the road safety operations in and around Johannesburg need to be intensified, especially on the freeways.
I agree fully with the MMC because, honestly, if you frequently use the freeway, you will note the abnormal speed at which most cars travel.
If you drive a very small car like mine, the only thing you will feel is the wind of the car blowing the balance off your car.
Although most cars are built for high speed, the drivers have no regard of the rules of the road, especially the basic keep-left-pass-right when overtaking, as well as the speed limit.
It is really concerning to see many innocent people lose their lives on our roads because of careless drivers.
Those found on the wrong side of the road should be harshly punished and this will surely send a strong message to their peers to be extra careful on the road.
Boarding on a mini-bus taxi every day is an extreme sport that many cannot avoid and risk losing to.
