Taxi industry says they deal with bad driving, but the public doesn’t see it
Driving like people have nine lives, that’s how frustrated Fourways residents describe the reckless behaviour of taxi drivers on the local roads, and even through the taxi industry says it is dealing with it, the public stills sees the lawlessness.
Taxis drive like people have nine lives. It’s a habit that rattles many Fourways residents on the road. From cutting corners and squeezing through impossible gaps, to overtaking on blind spots and skipping red lights, the sense that the rules don’t apply has left communities fed up, but the mood is shifting. Residents are no longer just venting on community WhatsApp groups. Many are jotting down number plates and reporting reckless drivers directly to the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and their ward councillors.
Read more: WATCH: Taxis continue lawlessness as fed-up residents call for JMPD to intercede
Ward 132 councillor Annette Deppe has also been inundated with clips and photos from residents. Deppe received one clip, sent by a frustrated resident, showing two minibus taxis brazenly driving through a red traffic light. “This video is just one of many that have been sent to me as a councillor, highlighting issues with taxis not obeying traffic laws. They are running red lights, cutting in front of other vehicles, weaving through traffic, and driving on shoulders.
“This behaviour seems to have increased significantly over the past few months, and it feels like there is currently a lack of control over the taxi industry.”
@caxtonjoburgnorth Reckless taxi driving on pedestrian walkways, captured and sent by a concerned resident to Fourways Review. #Taxi #fourwaysreview ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North
Also read: Fourways illegal taxi ranks continue to live by their own rules
The taxi industry, however, insists it is not ignoring the problem. “Formerly, there was no one who came forward to complain about reckless driving coming from our taxi drivers, even though we advise them to,” said Sipho Hlongwane, the public relations officer from the Randburg United and Local Taxi Association, “but that does not mean we can’t see it. We are very much aware of it, and do call them out when we catch them in the act. We are also in touch with local authorities about safer driving in our community.”
Hlongwane said that the association is divided into groups, each undergoing regular workshops and training sessions that cover driver behaviour, customer relations, and road safety. “We are transporting people who are often breadwinners; therefore, our taxi drivers need to drive safely.”
When complaints do arise, Hlongwane said the association has systems in place to investigate and discipline offenders. He said cases are handled with both the driver and the complainant present to ensure fairness. “If a driver is found guilty, they may be suspended, and repeat offenders can be fined with a hefty price, or get permanently disqualified from operating under the association.”
He added that the association makes a point of providing feedback to complainants about how the matter was resolved. “We want people to know that we don’t just ignore complaints. They are taken seriously, and action is taken where necessary.”
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