As of 2 September, JMPD spokesperson Wayne Minnaar can proudly say that William Nicol trucks will be fined for their misconduct.
On Tuesday 27 August, Minaar and other JMPD spokesperson Edna Mamonyane met up with the Record journalist to discuss the recently-erected signage on William Nicol Road.
Past accidents, specifically the horrific pile-up of 14 June, inspired Minnaar to notion for signage for the road in his personal capacity.
“I applied for it personally – to prevent accidents, injuries, and the deaths of innocent people going forward.
“Because on that day, I saw how innocent people got injured and died [sic],” said Minnaar while pointing out one sign on the intersection of Ontdekkers and William Nicol Roads, turning right from the service road into William Nicol Road towards Life Flora Clinic. Another sign is visible from Ontdekkers Road turning left into William Nicol Road towards Life Flora Clinic. The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) is still to take down a sign on William Nicol Road that indicates that trucks should shift to a lower gear, according to Mamonyane and Minaar.
Minnaar and Mamonyane were happy to communicate that, as of 2 September this year, the driver of any heavy load vehicle that dismisses the indications on the new signage will be subject to a fine.
“The JMPD will issue a R500 fine to any person that disobeys these signs,” said Mamonyane, explaining that JMPD officers will be monitoring the area on the regular.
The spokespersons were kind enough to explain that the best alternative route for truck drivers to take would be to drive down Ontdekkers Road towards Johannesburg and turn left into Hendrik Potgieter Road.
Minnaar mentioned that similar signage was erected on Doreen Road, that becomes Peter Road, in Ruimsig.
