Pedestrians and cyclists are at risk as taxi drivers allegedly create their own rules on roads in Fourways

Taxi drivers always seem to find a way to frustrate motorists in the Fourways area.

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The drivers have found a way to navigate around concrete dustbins installed alongside pedestrian walkways by councillor David Foley through his organisation, Fourways Improvement District.
The dustbins were intended to prevent taxi drivers from using these walkways. “We understand the traffic lights are usually not working which causes gridlocks. So in turn, the taxis manoeuvre around the bins for an extra lane,” bemoaned Foley.

“To prevent the drivers from using the walkways was not the only reason, we noticed that we have insufficient dustbins along Winnie Mandela [Drive]. We hoped that when people were walking by, they would be able to throw their litter in the dustbin so that we have less litter on the street.

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“We received so many complaints from the residents and especially cyclists about how they are pushed out of the way because the taxis use the walkways as an extra lane.”
Foley and his team have had to go back to the drawing board to come up with new plans to address the issue. However, they need to find solutions that comply with existing by-laws and regulations.

“Unfortunately, this road belongs to the city so we cannot just place rocks and whatever without permission. In the meantime, we appeal to the drivers to be patient on the road and mindful of these environmental and safety concerns.”

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