Birchleigh motorist warns drivers of hazardous ‘begging’ trend
“The most frightening ones have to be those who don’t just kneel, but also bend forward so that their forehead is touching the tarmac,” writes reader.
Editor – Over the years, residents almost anywhere within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality have become accustomed to beggars standing at traffic lights, T-junctions and elsewhere seeking money, food, clothing or jobs.
The advent of Covid-19 resulting in job losses and other financial difficulties this past year has seen an increase in the number of beggars, through no fault of their own. Several beggars we’ve encountered have developed, from a motorist’s point of view, a rather dangerous habit.
Instead of standing and being able to watch oncoming vehicles, several now kneel in a plea. The most frightening ones have to be those who don’t just kneel, but also bend forward so that their foreheads are touching the tarmac. They cannot see oncoming traffic.
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Do they not realise that they place themselves in a more dangerous position than merely standing can be? If a driver loses control of his vehicle, for whatever reason, a beggar who is standing and aware of what goes on around him or her has a better chance of quickly getting out of the way and escaping injury than someone who is almost prone on the tarmac.
As winter approaches and the nights draw in, this will surely become more of a problem, particularly in unlit or poorly lit areas, whether due to load-shedding or other outage reasons. Especially since many wear dark-coloured clothing and might not be spotted by motorists until reaching close range.
A motorist would probably be held liable for injury to or death of such a beggar when it is highly likely that the beggar has put themselves at risk to the situation.
Weary and alert Birchleigh motorist.
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