Do roadblock warnings endanger motorists?

No one wants to share the road with drunk or illegal drivers, yet thanks to Pigspotters, Traffic Info and Cop Watch 2 we often do.

These are some of the local WhatsApp groups warning people about roadblocks.

Yes, it might be handy to know which areas to avoid in order to not get pulled over, but it does not make being on the road any safer.

KwaDukuza community safety assistant superintendent Heidi Minnaar said they are pleading with the public to stop reporting roadblocks via social media.

“If our location is shared, it makes it hard to do our law enforcement duties fairly and without bias to those who are not on social networks and it is also considered defeating the ends of justice.

“One’s contact details are easily obtainable on the “group info” and we want to start reporting people and opening cases,” said Minnaar.

Umhlali SAPS Captain Vinny Pillay said sharing information about roadblocks could have serious implications.

“People must remember the next drunken or unlicensed driver who evades a roadblock could be the next person who causes an accident. Who is to say the innocent party won’t be a family member or close friend? Warning people about road blocks encourages drunken driving,” said Pillay.

While it might not be morally correct to send out warning messages, Ballito lawyer Alistair Janssens said these WhatsApp groups were not unlawful.

“No legislation appears to exist which would make this act by WhatsApp groups unlawful,” said Janssens.

He referred to a similar case: “In S v Perera [1978 3 SA 523 (T)] it was held that the person flashing lights to oncoming traffic will only be guilty of a criminal offence if that driver has reason to believe that the vehicle approaching is exceeding the speed limit, or that the driver of this vehicle has the intention of exceeding the speed limit.”

He said this behaviour is “nothing more than a warning to others to obey the law”. The state would have to prove that you have warned people who you believe are above the alcohol limit, which would be an impossible task.

Janssens said one argument is that by sharing this information you could in fact prevent someone from driving who would normally do so were there not a roadblock.

“In other words, this would have the exact opposite effect to defeating the ends of justice.”

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