Early morning commuters escape nasty accident

Pini Bothoko | Wednesday July 12, 2017 16:37

 

Public transport drivers often drive according to a law of their own

The accident happened at 5:40 by the traffic lights popularly known as “Millennium Bar turn-off,” police told Mmegi. The combi was carrying nine passengers on board, while the cab had two. All passengers sustained injuries after their vehicles rolled several times, but no fatalities were recorded. Number 13 district traffic officer, Boiki Mojalemotho said the incident was the latest in a series of mishaps involving public transport vehicles and speed. 

“The combi was from Mogoditshane heading to the bus rank whilst the cab was trying to turn into Block 6,” Mojalemotho said. “We suspect that one of the vehicles failed to stop by the traffic lights and the two vehicles collided, overturned and rolled.

Luckily there were no casualties.” He said public transport operators were increasingly taking risks and speeding in order to pick up and offload commuters faster and thus increase their takings. In the process, innocent people’s lives are put at risk. “It appears that public transport operators will like to speed so that they can go and offload quickly and take another load, putting people’s lives at risk,” Mojalemotho said.

“In this instance, it looks like both drivers were speeding because if not, they could have avoided the accident by stopping when approaching the traffic lights.  “When approaching the traffic lights, drivers should know that even when there is a green light for them, they should slow down and observe before proceeding.” He also cautioned drivers to be cautious of pedestrians on the road, citing an increase in accidents by the Supa Save hiking spot in Mogoditshane.

“Usually when hitchhiking, pedestrians have a habit of stopping the cars whilst on the road, with some even putting on headphones and playing music loudly,” Mojalemotho said. “As a result, some do not hear the alerts from motorists. I am also appealing to motorists to understand that pedestrians also have the right of way and should be allowed to use the road as well.”