POLOKWANE – Motorists have called on the local and provincial traffic departments to assist in preventing motorists from driving on pavements and in emergency lanes when traffic is congested.
According to some motorists, there is usually a traffic jam in the late afternoons in Grobler Street just past the intersection at Grimm Street.
At this point a third lane is created along the pavement by motorists who did not want to wait in line for their turn to pass.
“These vehicles just pass us along the pavement, covering our vehicles in dust and even stones.
“They rush past with no respect or consideration for the rest of us,” said one of the motorists, Daniel Sekgabutla.
Sekgabutla showed Review where his vehicle had been damaged by stones from these passing vehicles.
Another motorist, Tanya Griesel, also showed Review where one of her windows was cracked due to a stone that flew by as a vehicle passed along the pavement.
According to the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act 93 of 1996), vehicles are not to be driven on sidewalks in any instance.
The Act also states that no person shall drive, draw or propel any vehicle (other than a perambulator, invalid’s chair or the like) upon any footpath or sidewalk designed for use by pedestrians, except when it is necessary to do so to cross (by the shortest route) any such sidewalk or footpath for the purpose of entering or leaving any property abutting thereon.
According to the municipality, the traffic department is holding regular roadblocks and will focus on problem areas such as these complaints, and hefty fines can be expected.
Different campaigns are also underway that will focus on issues such as:
• Improved safety of roadways.
• Reduced congestion.
• Improved compliance by road users with rules and regulations of the Road Traffic Act.
• Encourage the sharing of the road by pedestrians, cyclists, disabled and other road users.
• Cooperate with other tiers of government on road safety programmes.
