Taxi drivers urged to be more careful
The Mpumalanga MEC for public works, roads and transport, Mohita Latchminarain, has pleaded with taxi operators to be extra vigilant on the road when transporting people.
This was during the SA Taxi/Topstar Taxi Association Tyre Centre launch held at Mbombela Taxi Rank on Friday. Latchminarain said, “The rapidly increasing number of fatal road crashes in the province is shocking.
Everyday there is a loss of life. Some of these people are mothers, fathers and breadwinners, and their death affects the whole family.
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“Taxi operators must always comply with the road regulations,” she continued, “and as we are approaching the festive season, I need to emphasise that we will be stronger this time in terms of our law enforcement operations. Drivers must be in the position to understand their surroundings and take note of the speed with which they are driving. They should take note of their vehicles, whether they are roadworthy, before they get behind the wheel.”
The provincial chairperson of the South African National Taxi Association (Santaco), Fanyana Sibanyoni, said, “We will ensure that the passengers’ lives are safe and that we will comply with and adhere to the rules of the road. We will ensure that our vehicles are safe on the road and refrain from speeding.” Sibanyoni added that passengers are their first priority.
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This partnership and the launch of the tyre centre at the Mbombela Taxi Rank between SA Taxi and the local taxi operators mean that taxis will no longer have to travel outside the rank to access tyre services.
