Drivers in the city have developed a reputation for poor road behaviour, contributing to frequent accidents.

Red lights and stop signs are often ignored, and many motorists drive under the influence of alcohol.

CCTV footage highlights this disregard for others, with lives lost as a result. Road rage has also become a daily occurrence.

Many locals blame weak law enforcement, alleging that traffic officers accept bribes and turn a blind eye.

As a result, drivers feel free to do as they please, putting others at risk.

Dane Heyneke, a motorist who lost a family member in an accident as a result of negligent driving on the part of another motorist, said: “These motorists are not punished. Our case against the offending driver has been dragging on for more than two years since we lost a loved one.

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No investigation has started and the driver has not been brought to justice. It is heartbreaking to see the person responsible walking free and living life as if nothing happened, while our hearts remain broken.”

Another motorist, Steven Pienaar, said he has a problem with traffic officers not being stationed at key points and traffic lights where most accidents occur.

“Our traffic officers are always in areas where accidents don’t happen so they can source some bribes. On the R40 in Riverside, drivers regularly skip red traffic lights and get away with it. Provincial and local governments need to act to ensure these motorists face heavy punishment for reckless driving.”

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Yolandi Verster Koch shared her experience: “Due to two people who skipped red lights, my car, which was already paid off, was written off. Now I owe money on a new car again. Even with car insurance, the payout is often less than the cost of replacing a vehicle. I am just grateful we didn’t get hurt. Financially, we are now worse off than we were, which is completely unnecessary. If we had proper law enforcement and accountability, most of these accidents can be avoided.”

Moeti Mmusi, spokesperson of the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, insisted that drivers who do not adhere to road rules are held accountable.

“We station traffic officers on various roads to deal with reckless drivers, and CCTV cameras are in place at traffic lights. We have taken decisive action,” he said.
He went on to appeal to motorists to respect the rules of the road,

“All licenced drivers know they must slow down when approaching traffic lights, stop signs or traffic circles, however, we acknowledge there is still a problem with motorists ignoring these rules.”