One of the things which irritate me most on the road is people who refuse to move out of the way to allow ambulances, fire engines and paramedics to pass.
Generally, I believe that if the lights are flashing and the sirens screaming, someone’s life is hanging in the balance.
Your refusal to give these drivers right of way may mean the difference between life and death.
But I must say that it is equally annoying when tow truck drivers try to run people off the road when they are trying to get to an accident.
The last time I checked, they are not considered to be an emergency service and should therefore not feel they have the right to hoot and “flip the bird” at drivers in front of them.
Recently, I witnessed an elderly woman almost killed while trying to execute a legal turn in Nigel Road.
The light was green for her and red for the cross traffic in which the tow truck in question found itself.
As she turned, the driver came screaming through the intersection, having forced myself and several other people in front of him out of the way, almost colliding with her.
He then proceeded to express his anger through a series of unsightly hand gestures and loud hooting.
Surely these drivers enjoy no special rights over ordinary drivers, or am I misinformed?
What do the EMPD have to say on this matter?
Wilfred M Kgasago, EMPD spokesman, makes the following comments:
Tow trucks like any other vehicle on the public road are expected to observe the rules of the road.
They are in no way exempted from all the provisions of the National Road Traffic Act, 93 of 1996 with all its amendments.
Over and above, there’s Gauteng Provincial Tow Truck Regulations (2012 – working document) which governs tow truck requirements for registration to operate, accreditation, grading and health and safety aspects.
This is aimed at outlining the policy vision, goals, objectives and principles to govern the tow truck industry in a manner that promotes professional business practices and contribute towards transformation of the industry in Gauteng.
Furthermore, most of the tow truckers are affiliated with United Towing Association of South Africa (UTASA) and South African Towing and Recovery Association (SATRA).
The members are expected to observe the code of conduct as prescribed by the associations.
Bottom line, tow truckers enjoy no privileges or exemptions from the National Road Traffic Act.
