Concerns mount over the dangers of illegally parked trucks on N4

Concerns over the masses of trucks parked on the roadside and median of the N4 at Alkmaar have been raised not only by residents, but by TRAC and the provincial Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison.

The recent build-up of parked trucks along the the roadside and the median has created a potentially dangerous situation for motorists and commuters.

Lowvelder met with regular N4 road user and Alkmaar resident, Johan Erasmus, on the N4 on November 4 just before 05:00, only to see over 15 trucks parked on either side of the highway and the median.

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Three trucks were parked directly in the turning lane to a fuel station.

Erasmus said the issue of the parked trucks started six months ago and had become a danger to motorists.

“There have already been a few close calls in which people have almost crashed into these trucks. There are no warning signs that the trucks are there. If you are not familiar with the road and do not know the trucks are there, it can be very disorientating and scary to be driving at night and all of a sudden all these trucks are parked everywhere.”

TRAC’s spokesperson, Solange Soares, said it was aware that a section of the N4 near Alkmaar was being used by truckers to illegally park overnight. She said TRAC Assist members had on numerous occasions been called out to try and address the situation.

“They are ignored and threatened, or truckers will obey, only to make a U-turn a few metres down the road and return to the same place,” she said. “These parked trucks impair road visibility and attract crime, as they are sitting ducks for criminals. They also make it difficult for locals to get in and out their properties.”

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She said they also posed a safety hazard as most of the parked trucks are filled with combustibles (either in their tanks or fuel being transported) and they pose a danger to pedestrians crossing in that area.

“By parking in the emergency lane (which is illegal in South Africa) they obstruct other vehicles that need to use that lane for actual emergencies from doing so.”

She said there was an overnight truck stop at Viva Garage in Schoemanskloof.

Soares added that not only did the trucks pose a risk to human life, but that they could also negatively affect the road and its surroundings in numerous ways, not only in terms of the road infrastructure and road safety, but environmentally, too.

“We speak with law enforcement on a daily basis about this and all other relevant issues on the TRAC N4 route. They are one of our key stakeholders and therefore we have a very close relationship with them.

“However, we do not have law enforcement authority, hence cannot take action against illegal parking. Law enforcement can also only do so much. Truckers and hauler companies know the law and should respect and implement it,” she said.

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The Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison’s spokesperson, Moeti Mmusi, said the action of trucks parking on the N4 in emergency lanes was totally illegal.

“There have also been reports of trucks parked illegally in other areas, not just on the N4,” he said. “Traffic officers will monitor this situation and other areas in town. A truck can only be parked at the roadside if it has mechanical issues.”

He said that the department would be working weekends and after hours during the festive season to ensure that trucks do not park illegally on Mpumalanga roads.

“The MEC has met with truck drivers and encouraged them to participate in road safety initiatives and act in a responsible manner. Some truck driver drive in a manner that compromises road safety. Another meeting will be held with truck owners in 2023.”

He said that while the department appreciated the role trucks played in the delivery of essential goods and the growth of economy, it was just as important for these drivers to be responsible.

“Every time we see this happening, we will stop them. The drivers know this is illegal, and we encourage motorists to report the issue whenever they come across an illegally parked truck,” he said.