New traffic regulations – the jury is out
Residents unanimous in their decision.
Roodepoort residents are almost unanimous in their decision – changing the traffic regulations will not stop the carnage.
The majority blame bad law enforcement and taxis, and see the proposed new traffic regulations as a money-making scheme. Here are some of the comments we received:
Marinka Faure said, “There are rules NOW and still it happens. How many of us will fail if we have to retake the tests (be honest now)? This is not going to work, money-making scam is all it is.”
Ria Yeriel Wilson said, “We don’t need changes to laws or more laws. We need motorists to obey the laws. The above accident was caused by a motorist breaking an existing law. We were nearly in an accident this morning when someone did exactly the same thing – turned right in front of us in an intersection. Stupid drivers need punishment – not more laws to affect those who obey the laws.”
Marisha van Zyl said, “Taxis drive in straight lanes to turn because they don’t want to wait. They drive in emergency lanes also just because they don’t want to wait. Changing the rules is a great idea but getting people to follow them will leave us back where we are now, with accidents every day and people requesting the rules to be changed. Better policing and enforcement are needed, not new rules. People barely follow the ones we have now.”
Leanne Dewar said, “It would be helpful if the traffic department enforced the rules of the road when they see them being broken. It would also be nice if they would set an example. I see traffic officials driving while talking on their phones, some don’t wear seat belts, some don’t use their indicators. It’s just wrong. I’ve also seen via social media and heard about nightmare experiences some people have had when pulled over because the traffic department wants to strong-arm people or extract bribes instead of issuing a ticket or arresting the person in a civil manner. I think it’s time for a clean-up in the traffic department so that they can get rid of the bad apples and get back to basics: enforce the rules of the road in a civilized manner.”
Erika Sparks said, “What’s the use of having stricter laws if the laws are not enforced by authorities anyway. Daily I drive in the traffic and see how traffic officers turn a blind eye to taxi drivers. Can you imagine the chaos and the personal costs involved if everyone has to redo their K53 licences? I say take control of the taxi drivers and the Roodepoort bus drivers and 70 per cent of your problems are solved”.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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