EDITOR – Returning home from work on Friday, 29 July I was involved in an accident with a bus just before the onset of the bridge, where the road allows for a right-turning lane into Kirk Road. It is important for me to write about this and create awareness among us motorists who very diligently follow and obey the rules of the road.
The accident happened at 4.30pm at a time when this road is at its busiest. Taxis and buses from the off ramp leading off Field’s Hill and converge onto Old Main Road. All of them seem to be rushing against time. They climb over the islands to get onto the right lane, and this clearly is not the lane they should be in. As we approach the bridge all of the indicators, sometimes with no indicators, come on to move back into the left lane. This is so nerve wracking, especially when it involves buses, as the lanes are so narrow on the bridge.
The bus was travelling in the extreme right lane which turns into Kirk Road. Anyone travelling on this lane will not be able to continue straight because the arrows on the road only indicate turning right. The bus continued straight with absolutely no consideration for the vehicles travelling in their rightful lanes. He hit into my car, instantly wiping out my side mirror, scraping and clipping my car to the wheel of the bus. I braked and did not take my hand off my hooter, but he still scraped and pushed my car around. As my car was, at this point, flush against the bus, I had to steer away for fear of being dragged any further, and as I did so the driver proceeded toward the taxi rank and disappeared. Fortunately for me, well I do not know how fortunate, I was able to note his registration, which I handed to the police and my insurance company.
With Pinetown in its current state of disarray, it will be a wish list to expect patience, good road ethic and common courtesy from these unlawful drivers. It is best to be extremely aware. Drive for other drivers, especially the road abusers, and don’t be shy or afraid to use your hooter to push them back until the way is clear for them to change lanes. I would not like to see this happen to any other law-abiding person.
Megs
Pinetown
