Taxis in Fourways are curbing the laws

Douglasdale Community Policing Forum Sector 4 chairperson, David Foley said taxis were a law unto their own on William Nicol Drive.

“The taxis have made their own lane on William Nicol between Monte Casino Boulevard and Leslie Avenue going south,” he explained.

Foley said he had never seen Metro police in this area from 6.30am to 8.30am on a daily basis which was when these transgressions usually occurred.

He has taken photos of taxis driving on the wrong side of the road, on verges, disobeying the turning arrows and parked on islands.

He has also witnessed a bus driving over the yellow island markings on William Nicol crossing over Monte Casino Boulevard going south.

“Fourways needs urgent attention from the Metro police on a daily basis for a number of months to ensure the laws are adhered to,” Foley said.

Superintendent Edna Mamonyane, spokesperson for the Metro police said she had received a number of complaints about taxis in the Fourways area and had inspected the area herself. “We try to run a steady operation every morning on William Nicol Drive to ensure that taxis are not flouting the rules of the road, however on some days we are not able to because our patrols are called out to accidents and we have to prioritise,” she said.

Mamonyane explained that often when taxi drivers saw Metro police vehicles, they towed the line and did not disobey any laws, therefore it was difficult for officers to catch them in the act.

“However, I will request officers to make a concerted effort to patrol in the area and also to try and hide their vehicles so that the taxi drivers will be caught in the act,” she said.