OPINION: ‘Are roadblocks really necessary?’
Resident shares his frustration regarding roadblocks and questions if it is necessary.
• Resident Theuns Schoeman writes:
I am not against roadblocks, but at about 08:00 on March 28, while driving to Randfontein, the following were noticed.
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A roadblock was held by Mogale City Public Safety along Voortrekker Road. The problem with roadblocks in general, however, is that their aim is not safety but rather law enforcement. The result normally leads to frustration by drivers who then attempt to bypass such a roadblock at all costs.
This recklessness of such drivers leads to traffic diversion into the service road (Carol Road). It was not a case of normal cars only, but also huge interlinks. I drove in the opposite direction, and at times, you physically had to come to a standstill to ensure your safety.
When I arrived at the Carol Road intersection, I saw an accident in Voortrekker Road, the cause of which is unknown, but which was a result of traffic buildup as a result of the roadblock.
One sometimes wonders how much planning goes into such operations and what contingency plans were made to prevent accidents and vehicles dodging the law.
