Polokwane’s traffic officers warn of concerning driver behaviour
Traffic officer Kgaugelo Mphago encouraged motorists to drive at the required speed, to not drink and drive and to refrain from using cellphones while driving.
POLOKWANE -Driver behaviour in the city is becoming a matter of grave concern given the number of vehicle collisions that occurred in the local area alone in the last few weeks.
This is according to several traffic officers Polokwane Observer spoke to at accident scenes, who reiterated that most of these incidents could have been avoided had drivers followed the road rules.
On Monday, 15 people were rushed to hospital after a three-vehicle collision on the corner of Witklip and Asbese streets.
This incident, according to an officer on the scene, could have been avoided had one of the drivers yielded to oncoming traffic, as is required by law.
Read more: Witklip Street collision leaves driver seriously injured
On Sunday, a double cab bakkie overturned on the corner of Grobler and Landdros Maré streets.
“Both drivers said it was their right of way, which causes us to believe that drivers are either inconsiderate or simply reckless,” one officer said off the record.
On Friday morning, four learners had to be taken to hospital after the taxi driver transporting them lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree on the corner of Diemeer Street and Du Plessis streets in Welgelegen. Reckless driving was not ruled out in this incident.
During the course of the week, traffic cops recorded several collisions linked to drivers using their cellphones while driving, speeding, drunk driving and impatience.
In two incidents, drivers drove into a group of pedestrians on the corner of Rissik and Schoeman, and Landdros Maré and Excelsior streets respectively. An SUV also bumped into a bridge barrier and the driver and passenger were rushed to hospital for priority two medical attention.
Another collision occurred two weeks ago on the road between Lithuli and Emdor, with 11 people sustaining priority two injuries. In this instance, unsafe overtaking was cited as the cause of a head-on collision.
The Traffic Department also noted the death of a two-year-old boy in an incident in which two hatchbacks collided along the Matlala road. Police confirmed that they are investigating a case of culpable homicide. Six people sustained serious injuries and were taken to hospital for medical attention after they had to be airlifted to hospital.
Traffic officer Kgaugelo Mphago encouraged motorists to drive at the required speed, to not drink and drive and to refrain from using cellphones while driving.
