‘Taxis drivers too rude to handle’

Two residents from Midrand recently complained about taxis being driven recklessly on K101, Dale Road and Allandale Road.

Elsje Naicker and Trudie de Beer reported similar incidents to Midrand Reporter, a few days apart.

Naicker said she had reached her limit of patience and refused to be a victim because she is a motorist and a woman. She explained, “Daily on my way to work, I have to deal with taxi drivers on the K101 and Allandale Road who refuse to understand the rules of the road and behave in a manner that is dangerous, not only to motorists but also to pedestrians.”

She revealed that on 10 May, she had to endure a taxi driver who deliberately tried to drive her off the road after she hooted at him to make him aware of her presence as he was coming into her lane alongside her.

“If I did not apply brakes, we would have been involved in a side smash. How much longer must we endure this type of intimidation? Going home in the afternoons is none the better and, at times, is even worse than the mornings,” Naicker added.

She questioned why taxi drivers feel that they rule the road and that everyone else must abide by their lack of driving skills and leave them to do as they please.

Naicker expressed that every day she and other motorists witness the lawlessness on those roads, and enough is enough. She firmly stated that taxi drivers cannot expect other road users to quietly allow them to do as they please. She concluded, “We cannot sit by quietly while taxis drivers create lanes where there are none, stop where they want, claim ownership of walkways for pedestrians. When will they be taken to task for their lack of respect?”

De Beer also said that she recently had a nasty experience with taxis.

“On 6 May while driving on Dale Road in heavy traffic, taxis drivers kept speeding in front of other cars and did not stay in their lane. One taxi driver shouted at me and tried to push my car off the road and threatened to shoot me,” said De Beer.

She added that such incidents are a daily occurrence on Dale Road and she said it was scary to be confronted in that manner while driving.

Metro police spokesperson, chief superintendent Wayne Minnaar said there is a way to deal with taxis that are being driven recklessly and endangering lives.

Minnaar said, “Motorists can report reckless driving by sending an e-mail to us so that joint operations with the South African police and Gauteng Traffic police can be done in those hotspots.”

Details: To report reckless driving of taxis in your area e-mail WayneM@joburg.org.za or yusuf.bhyat.gauteng@gmail.com

Read more:

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One person killed and four seriously injured in suspected taxi turf war

UPDATE: Taxi route disputes claim a life on K101