Traffic fines do not scare taxi drivers

G D Kruger writes:

RANDBURG – A few months back it was reported in the papers that Mr. Wayne Minnaar from Johannesburg Traffic Department had informed Council that the expected actual revenue collected from traffic fines was down to 4 per cent from 8 per cent and the reason given was the strike by Post Office workers.

At about the same time Mr. Minnaar also commented on complaints about taxi’s driving on the righthand side of the road in the face of oncoming traffic and warned that the fines for this illegal action was R1000.

After this I expected a lot of comments by the papers and general public but as usual no one did not respond.

All I can say “Wow” Mr. Minnaar now you have really scared the taxi drivers.

If only 4 to 8 per cent of people eventually pay their fines it means only 4 to 8 per cent actually feel the “pain” as result of their wrong doing and I am prepared to bet my bottom dollar not one of them is a taxi driver.

To report that drivers have been fined is the same as saying you are letting them of the hook and even if a few were arrested and charged, in the end they will be fined and as per the above statistics, only 4 to 8 per cent will eventually pay.

Surely it should be obvious to the authorities that they are failing miserably as law enforcers.

The comment that taxi drivers warn each other when the traffic police are in the vicinity should also be a hint, visible policing does work versus “when last have you seen a traffic warden at or near any of the busy intersections where these taxi

drivers constantly do as they please”.

In conclusion on the proposal to reduce the speed limits, yes this does work in countries like Australia but then also, they are effective in prosecuting offenders and collecting the fines.

Editor’s note: Letter published unedited.