North Durban Polo driver says it’s how you drive, not what you drive
"I know a lot of VW drivers, Polo in specific, and their cars are in very good condition," said Sileshin Naidoo.
THE Volkswagen Polo, Toyota Hilux and Toyota Quantam are the top three models which are the most involved in fatal crashes in South Africa.
This, according to statistics recently released by the Road Traffic Management Corporation, it also stated these three makes account for the highest amount of speed fine infringements.
ALSO READ: Are Polo drivers dangerous?
Titled South African Fatal Crashes in Context, the report was published last month, analysed fatal crash data from October 1, 2017 to June 30, 2021.
It also analysed Aarto speed infringement data from January 1, 2019 June 20, 2021.
The press release stated that the Volkswagen Polo, Toyota Hilux and Toyota Quantum were involved in 43.2% fatal crashes. The VW Polo contributed to of 16.7% of all fatal crashes, “confirming what many South Africans have long suspected”.
A die-hard VW Polo fanatic from north of Durban, Sileshen Naidoo, doesn’t agree with the negative publicity the brand has been getting. He drives a 2018 Polo Vivo which he has owned for just over three years.
“Most of the owners I know have never been involved in any sort of accident with their polos, neither have I, yet I have had people bump into my vehicle and attempt to flee,” he said.
Naidoo, who is a licensed driver since 2013, said this is the second Polo he has owned.
“I have never been involved in an accident. I had close calls which were due to others not following the rules of the road. Polos may be involved in accidents but, in each of these cases, do we know who was at fault?” questioned Naidoo.
“I was taught to also watch out for other drivers on the road and I have been able to keep myself away from being a statistic. People just seem to not like polos in general. I have no idea why. The car is safer than most of the entry level vehicles out there,” he pointed out.
He said these stats won’t deter him from purchasing another Polo in the future.
“People should just learn to be safer on the road by following the rules,” he added.
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