Public believes that speed humps are not a solution to accidents

Speed humps are to be built on the R102 between Umhlali and Shakaskraal to force traffic to slow down – but some believe this will not solve the problem.

Speaking last week at a service held in memory of the seven people who died in a horrific taxi accident on that road on January 3, transport, community safety and liaison MEC Bheki Ntuli said the humps would be in place by the end of this month.

The driver of an overloaded taxi allegedly lost control and the taxi went down an embankment, killing seven and injuring 15 people.

This announcement was welcomed with jubilation by the hundreds of residents who attended the service at the Melville Sports Ground on Thursday.

However, the announcement received mixed feelings from Courier readers, as residents thought speeds humps were not the solution.

“Speed humps do not solve the problem of reckless driving, overloading and a taxi that’s not roadworthy.

“The road traffic department must start enforcing the law on taxi owners and drivers. Regular road blocks and testing of the taxis and the drivers should be done,” said Ballito resident Michelle Annet Sewraj, one of many readers to comment on the Courier’s Facebook page.

National Taxi Association (SANTACO) chairperson Boy Zondi urged residents not to get into a overloaded taxi and report drivers who overloaded.

“I know that sometimes when a passenger complains about overloading, other passengers will keep quiet and the driver will say he or she must jump out.

“But I say you must all complain and if he threatens to drop the person who complained, you must all jump out of the taxi,” said Zondi.

Zondi said it was not only the drivers who were at fault.

“Sometimes passengers ask to be squeezed in because they are late for work. This must stop. I once stopped an overloaded taxi and it was the passengers who were angry with me for delaying them. Please know that as owners, there is nothing we hate more than an overloaded taxi,” said Zondi.

Since the accident some local passengers have refused to get into overload taxis.

The Courier witnessed more than three incidents where a taxi driver tried to pick up a passenger and they refused to get in for this reason.

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