UPDATE: Road rage murder suspect has his day in court
Any disorderly behaviour by drivers, performed deliberately and with ill intention or disregard for safety, can constitute aggressive driving.
NEWCASTLE – A 42-year-old murder suspect appeared in the Newcastle Magistrate’s Court on October 28, in connection with an alleged road rage incident late last month.
Read: Breaking News – Road rage leads to shooting
SAPS Corporate Communications and Liaison Officer, Lizzy Arumugam, said Sifiso Sithole was fatally shot when an argument ensued between the suspect and the driver of a municipal truck, after their vehicles collided in Faraday Street, on October 19.
“The victim intervened and told the suspect that he was clearly in the wrong. The bystander then walked away and was shot in the back by the driver.”
The suspect was charged with murder, attempted murder and reckless driving, and appeared in the Newcastle Magistrate’s Court to apply for bail.
However, the hearing was adjourned until further notice.
Mrs Arumugam said aggressive driving was a growing concern and a real threat to the safety of all road users.
“Any disorderly behaviour by drivers, performed deliberately and with ill intention or disregard for safety, can constitute aggressive driving. In extreme cases, this may escalate to road rage, which is a violent criminal act involving the intention to cause physical harm.”
Also read: PICS – Man gunned down in road rage incident (Not for sensitive viewers)
The SAPS offered tips on how to deal with aggressive drivers, including useful hints to reduce your own stress while driving:
Protect yourself:
– If you are dealing with an aggressive driver, make sure the doors of your car are locked
– If you have come to a stand-still in traffic, leave enough room to pull out from behind the car you are following.
– If an aggressive driver confronts you, call 10111 or drive to the nearest police station.
Do not take it personally:
– Be polite and courteous, even if the other driver is not.
– Avoid any conflict, if possible.
– If another driver challenges you, take a deep breath and move out of the way.
– Never underestimate the other driver’s capacity for causing harm.
Reduce your own stress:
– Understand that you cannot control the traffic, only your reaction to it.
– In the end, you may find that personal frustration, anger and impatience are the real danger zones on the highway.
Be a courteous driver:
– You can set a good example, which can help make our roads safer.
– Control your anger.
– Avoid making eye contact with an aggressive driver.
– Do not make obscene gestures.
– Do not tailgate.
– Use your horn sparingly, even a polite honk can be misinterpreted.
– Do not block the passing traffic.
