AFTER reading the front page article about the child killed in the road accident, I am totally amazed that even our Minister of Education blames unroadworthy vehicles for the problem.
How many accidents are actually caused by these unroadworthy vehicles? Very few I am sure, far less than what is made out.
Most are caused by incompetent drivers, many who have bought their licences from government officials in the traffic department without any tests being done.
Secondly, referring to the Hillcrest truck accident. How does the traffic department allow any individual to pay for a few lessons and get a heavy duty licence with no experience.
Surely one should progress from a LDV to a 3 tonner and so on. Once experience has been gained, move on to the next grade of licence.
But not in SA. Here R7 000 buys a licence, R850 buys a roadworthy and you are licenced to do what you like.
The saddest thing is that heavy transport companies employ these individuals and put them into a R2-million rig and send them off.
Then to top it off is the lack of respect for the laws of the road and our traffic officers.
If you are an offender, a small bribe shuts most cops up.
Clamp down of traffic offenders. Place policemen at intersections that are often scenes of accidents to catch non-compliant drivers. If a driver of a taxi or bus ignores the rules of the road, take away their licence and confiscate the vehicle.
These drivers and their vehicles are the ones killing innocent people, not so much the unroadworthy vehicles.
They want to make it mandatory to roadworthy cars every year or two years. What a joke!
All that will do is increase the bribery and corruption that has already spun out of control.
GATVOL
Richards Bay
