I read the letter about ‘Visible EMPD calms R59’ in last week’s RECORD with interest and it grates me to my core to say that nothing has changed.
About two to three times a week I also travel on the R59 using Swartkoppies offramp to get to Alberton.
This morning, while most of the motorists fall in the queue with two trucks ahead of some of us and another truck behind me, we again have those idiotic drivers putting there own, and others’ lives, at risk.
First there was a taxi speeding by at about 100km/h to start the illegal, third lane left turn.
He was soon followed by another taxi and then, low and behold, a man in a white Nissan bakkie with a child on the seat, not wearing a seat belt, as the third vehicle.
There is also a young woman driving a white Toyota Yaris with two to three passengers who is a regular culprit. Judging by the condition of her vehicle, which is dented in more than one place, she has been in more than one accident before – yet she is one of the many who gets away with the illegal use of our roads.
And her arrogance is enough to leave even the calmest of drivers hot under the collar.
Now, with all of them pushing their way through an illegal right turn, in front of the legally waiting vehicles, they also cause a huge delay in traffic.
Bundling together in the middle of the intersection, trying to fight their way into the traffic, the intersection was absolute chaos.
At the time the second truck could eventually turn. The truck was stuck somewhere between being in a lane on the bridge and in the intersection – all because of these idiots who have now filled the available space on the bridge.
When, oh when, will EMPD do what needs to be done at this intersection?
With this, I would also like to mention the following. A while back the RECORD ran a front-page story about hijacking hot spots.
In this article, EMPD mentioned that they have points men on duty at this specific intersection at specific times.
Well, that is simply not true. I have not seen a pointsman there for ages and the situation is really getting out of hand.
I honestly feel that EMPD should be more visible at the known problem spots and fine the guilty drivers.
Hopefully, if residents moan and groan enough it will be a wake-up call to EMPD to be on duty?
Or do we have to wait for something far worse than hooting and swearing motorists to happen?
Enough is enough
ALSO READ:
Request for EMPD to patrol R59
[GALLERY + VIDEO]: Off-ramps are hijacking hot spots
Man dies after being hit by two vehicles on R59
BREAKING NEWS: Burnt body found on R59
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