Speeding in graveyard

Appalled anonymous fellow mourner and motorist writes;

Dear Mr Speedster. Your behaviour and attitude towards others and the rule of law is disgusting and deplorable.

On 4 September, at almost noon, you were driving a white, unmarked Chevy BSN 037 B,clearly a police vehicle. You had visited the grave of a departed in the western Muslim section of West Park Cemetery, paying your respects with a bunch of flowers. Thereafter, you stopped by a second grave further east, no doubt to do the same. During this time we had left our departed, and were proceeding at a slow pace (20 km/h ) towards the main gate of the cemetery. Glancing in my rear visor, I did notice you pulling away from the curb and approaching our car at a speed, judging by the plumes of dust the sun reflected clearly. You came up very close to the rear of our car and, for whatever reason, you decided you needed to overtake us (in the middle of a graveyard!! ) and proceeded to do so.

However, you failed to notice the pedestrian walking along this road. Glancing him, this prompted you to brake sharply, and to swerve towards our vehicle, and subsequently zoom by at a speed between the pedestrian, who had meanwhile jumped onto the grassy verge, and the right hand side of our vehicle.

I ask you: What was the rush? Where was the fire?

We caught up with your vehicle as you were waiting at the red traffic light in the right turn lane, corner of Beyer Naudé Drive and West Park Drive.

I want to know: What did you gain by rushing inside the Graveyard?

Your ( driving ) behaviour suggests to me that you seemingly only respect the departed, and have no consideration for the living! The living, yes, people like myself, as well as my partner.

No, I do not have any plans to die soon, but with reckless drivers around like yourself Sir, there is a distinct possibility I might meet such a fate, by getting wiped out.

Earlier on, driving along West Park Drive from Albertsville in an easterly direction at the permitted speed of 60 km/h you had overtaken us then, near the intersection with Visser Street.

You obviously are of the opinion that driving an official vehicle will give you carte blanche to drive as you please – never mind others, never mind the rules of the road and to behave in a totally unmannerly way.

Your behaviour is disgusting. You should be ashamed of yourself, Sir!

Editor’s note: Letter published unedited.