Thieves target slowed-down traffic

THE SPEED bumps on the road at “The Teacup” have had the desired effect since being rebuilt late last year. This section of the Vryheid/Ncome road has a settlement and a school on the one side, and the Teacup store on the other, and children have been involved in accidents here. Some have died.

The initial speed bumps installed by the Roads Department did not deter the traffic in the least – big trucks continued to thunder past. The new bumps erected last year have definitely slowed down the traffic, especially the big coal and timber trucks. They virtually stop to engage first gear to negotiate the bumps.

But it means that if lighter vehicles happen to be behind the trucks, and the double white line here and on both sides stops any overtaking, those lighter vehicles have to virtually stop too behind the trucks.

Thieves have apparently noticed this opportunity. They loiter at the side of the road and opportunistically scan the traffic.

The following cases have been heard of:

A woman driver has had her handbag snatched from the passenger seat after the thieves smashed the window;

A farmer driving a bakkie had goods stolen from the back of the bakkie;

A cold truck had the the padlock pried off with a crowbar and crates of yoghurt were stolen.

Drivers, even if they notice the thieves, cannot very well abandon their vehicles and give chase. The thieves can simply run off into the long grass on the one side, over the railway line and disappear.

Be aware or these modern highwaymen could make you a victim too.