Calls for safer school transport
The concerned man said that despite traffic officers being stationed at some robots in the uMhlathuze Village, they apparently pay no attention to safety regulations or roadworthiness of passing vehicles
A CONCERNED motorist has called for action, after noticing an alarming number of unroadworthy vehicles transporting pupils daily.
Bongani Gumbi sent the ZO a photo he had taken last week near Ngwelezane, showing a group of children being transported in the back of a bakkie where they are seated inches away from an unlocked canopy door and a window that has been replaced by plastic and worn out sellotape.
Gumbi said such sightings were regular on the Empangeni roads.
‘At times children hang out of the windows and drivers do not bother to reprimand them to stay inside the car.
ALSO READ: Fatal head-on crash outside Empangeni
‘It is so disturbing because anything could happen.
‘In that particular photo that I took, the children are sitting right at the opening, if anything happened and the driver had to suddenly brake, the children would just fly out. Some drivers even have their canopy doors open.’
The concerned man said that despite traffic officers being stationed at some robots in the uMhlathuze Village, they apparently pay no attention to safety regulations or roadworthiness of passing vehicles.
‘It is sad because these vehicles along with taxis are always overloaded. I see these things and I am just waiting for an accident to happen.’
Gumbi called for increased visibility.
His concerns come after the tragic accident that took place on the R34 west of Empangeni last Friday, which claimed the lives of three pupils who were travelling in the back of a bakkie.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
