Taxi drivers 'treated the same'

2007-11-15 11:17

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Verashni Pillay

Johannesburg - Motorists arrested in Johannesburg on Wednesday for "minor traffic offences" believed they were being unfairly targeted, while taxi drivers were left alone. Metro police, however, told News24 on Thursday that taxi drivers would be treated in exactly the same way.

"Out of the 17 who were arrested on Wednesday, three were taxi drivers," Johannesburg metro police spokesperson Wayne Minnaar told News24. "Taxi drivers will be handled just the same as any other drivers we have. They will have to face the same consequences."

Johannesburg metro police have begun a "zero tolerance policy" crackdown on traffic offenders, starting with the arrest of 23 motorists on Florida on Wednesday.

Arrested

Motorists were arrested for ignoring traffic and direction signs, turning where they weren't supposed to and driving on the yellow-demarcated shoulders of the road.

Minnaar explained that mere fines had lost their effect on motorists, leading police to resort to the threat of a night in jail to get motorists to stick to the rules during the festive season.

"Even if we issue people with a R1 000 traffic fine at the time, they pay it and then they still continue committing offences," he said.

The city of Johannesburg would be subjected to the policy until the end of January 2008. According to Minnaar, any "moving violation" could constitute an arrest.

There would be road blocks at various places at different times, as well as surveillance of ten "hot spots", which include Beyers Naude drive, the N12, the N1, William Nicol road and the R511.

While motorists reacted with "shock" to the crackdown, Minnaar said a number of motorists were happy with the new policy.

"There was a huge number of people who phoned in and complimented the metro police department," he said.

News24 users had the following to say about the new policy:

"Sometimes I wonder how they put these operations together, they seem to target areas where the majority of people are traceable, the taxis are a problem, and will forever be a problem until the law does what it's supposed to and punishes the offenders." Glenn

"I have no problem with people being locked up for illegal road use. The only major factor is that taxis get away with it all the time and nothing is done about it. Us responsible drivers who wait in the queues for our turn eventually get "gatvol" and then do the same as them (taxis)." News24 user

"Way to go! As a considerate driver I applaud the cops for finally taking a stand. Yes, the taxi drivers are probably worse - but this is a start. Honestly, after reading this report, will you disobey the traffic laws again?! I don't think so! Good luck to the cops, and thank you for trying to make our rush-hour trips less annoying by taking care of the drivers who think there is a difference between "small" and "big" traffic offences." Jansie Griezel

"I'm all for active policing and agree that a zero-tolerance policy should be adopted. But then it should be applied fairly. I have seen traffic police flash blue lights at taxis with no fines, and then fine motorists for lesser offences. Sort out the taxis and people won't have to adopt such an aggressive driving style!" Grant

"About time - if you obey the rules, no problem. If not, face the consequences. Some people are quick to complain about the metro police's inactivity, but when they do something constructive, those same people still complain. Try living/driving in Australia - most SA drivers would lose their licences in 6 months. Metro police...keep it up..." Andy

"This is just another case of discrimination. Why is nothing done against the taxi drivers who behave like hooligans on the road. Get those drivers of the road with the reckless bicycle drivers and the roads will be safer." Dennis Strydom

- News24

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I agree that all offences should be treated equally. Do you want to tell me that 2 taxis out of 17 was fair? Taxis on a daily basis and with intent disobey traffic laws, turning across 3 lanes, infront of others, pushing in from the sides, passing at any time, anywhere and the people always obeying the law, had once made a mistake and get arrested? How do you prove that you were right and they were wrong? A lot of those cases have been reported over the past 2 weeks. What about hawkers?

I commend the Metro Police for trying to do a dcent job. My biggest gripe (and I'm sure other commuters, taxi or otherwise, would agree) is why are the cops so intent on manning speed traps during rush hour traffic (when the traffic really isn't moving very fast, if at all) instead of doing pointsman duty at malfunctioning robots?

I travel on a daily basis on the highways and in high volume traffic areas. People wo break the law are the ones that cause the accidnets on the highways and the bottle-necks in the traffic. the steps that the metro police are taking are extreme but people need to be shown that if they break the law they will be punished. It is also a warning to people out there who think 'minor' offences are ok. Metro do have a difficult job to do but they are doing it well.

Well it's certianly a bit excessive to jail somone for making a wrong turn, what's wrong with a fine. This is the problem with metro, it's all or nothing. I'm certainly for more consistant policing of the roads, the key been consistant.

Great news, pse ensure we see u at night time as well. Last night driving on the Mulderdrift Rd behind Diepsloot (19H00)towards Broad Acres, of the 19 cars passed or seen, 17 had either no/or some lights fromt or back, with over-loading a major issue. Keep the road safe, treat all road users equaly and we will assist.

This is great news. I cycle along the roads where some people were arrested yesterday. This will definitely make the roads safer for cyclists. To Dennis: How will taking cyclists (not bicycle riders) off the road make it safer for motorists?

This should have been done a long time ago. I guess all 75% against the new system often disobey road rules. I have seen several accidents by drivers not obeying road rules not one involved was a taxi - yes Taxis are a problem so is everyone else that does not obey the rules -this system should come to Pretoria Especially Centurion Jean Ave in the mornings drivers do illegal turns..!

To the Metro Cops: I applaud your action 100%. However, why aren't your own Metro officers also being arrested for their misconduct? How many times have we witnessed (and reported) officers of the law driving without seat belts, speeding, reckless driving, over-taking on solid lines etc.? I believe setting an example is a far better start than arresting people for unpaid fines (although still a good notion, nonetheless). Don't expect compliance if you don't keep to the rules yourself.

I wish one 'hot spot' that must be targeted is the stretch between Grayston Drive and Joe Slovo drive on the M1. Taxi drivers drive on the yellow lane every morning and afternoon. It's even difficult for motorists to join the freeway from an onramp. Keep it up...Metro Police.

Everyday that I drive to work I see Taxi's drive through red traffic lights with total impunity. Metro police are always around the corner speed trapping.Where else in the world can one drive though a red traffic light and be called public transport? I don't think Metro Police care about the lives of black people.

Taxi drivers are in no way treated the same. The statement is laughable. It is token policing which means nothing. The police arrest or fine a taxi driver here and there to keep up appearances. I witnessed this first hand when a taxi driver was pulled over and then started swearing and pushing the officers around. Yes, pushing them physically. He climeb in his taxi and left the officers looking at each other. Laughable.

People must realise that if you break the law no matter how small, you must pay, yes I do agree with the public, that the taxes are a major contributor to road accidents and deaths on the road. For those people out there moaning about Metro arresting people for these offenses no matter how small, I have one question for you, "because of these so called small traffic offenses a family member or loved one is killed, are you still going to moan........" Well done Metro, keep up the good work.

Does it really make a difference who violates the traffic law. Some people think minor offences are exempt from procecution. Wrong! If taxi drivers misbehave, they also will face the full might of the law. Minor offenders will be subjected to the same treatment. No exceptions.

Go to William Nicol and see how they pull off all the taxis even when they have done nothing wrong, just to inspect them. This is a great thing the cops are doing, i hope they increase their efforts in this regard.

What zero tolerance? If this was applied in the very first place we wont have the taxi's do what they are doing right now. You never see JMPD's on the M1 in the mornings/afternoons bcos they are 2 afraid to confront them with a ticket. Every rule in the book is disobeyed and if they do roadblocks it's ALWAYS where there are less taxi traffic. JMPD is made a mockery by them.

Why is it that the only time our beloved Metro Police crack down on traffic offences is during the festive season. This is by far the quietest period on the Gauteng roads. During Xmas the roads are a pleasure. Every year at this time we have these drive alive campaigns and the death tolls rise. What a waste of time and money. Surely they should be clamping down on traffic offences through out the year. Me thinks the Meto Police need to hit their ticket targets for the year. Wake Up Minnaar

Does this include unroadworthy vehicles ( and I am not just referring to Taxis ). Will they be immediately removed from the roads and impounded? Does that not constitute as a moving violation ? This is the most positive news I have heard about our traffic situation in a long time. I support it. AND Cars with no License Plates, please, please, please be harsh on them. They are always the bullies of the road.

I disagree with Metro Police that taxis are treated the same - if they were, the ratio of tax drivers to other drivers would have been much higher. Sit at any intersection with a lane dedicated to turning only and you will find at least 3 taxis in the next lane (for traffic travelling straight) who will be turning and Metro Police will more likely than not wave at them. Also, what happens to the Metro Police who refuse to wear seat belts?????

I hope this gets implemented in Cape Town as well soon. One thing that people do not use in this part of the world are indicators. They just turn. Start prosecuting people for the smaller offenses and they will naturally avoid bigger ones. I do think jail is not right in this country. You might just get raped as a man. Rather confiscate the car and let the person have this inconvenience of not having it for a month or so. Go Metro go!!!

On principle, good on the Metro. In reality, chuck them a brickbat. Taxis can do what they effing-well like on Hendrik Potgieter, the R55 towards Kyalami, and the R511 from Dainfern back to Sandton, while the Metro piggies happily pull off (largely white) motorists in nice cars, because they know they're traceable, and the money will be forthcoming.

Great move, Metro Police. The reality is probably that the shock of a couple of hours in jail will cause "normal" motorists to obey the law again, reverting back to a predisposition of law and order. The action will not have the same effect on our friends the one-arm-out-of-the-window-while-I-quickly-pop-into-the-yellow-to-get-to-the-head-of-the-queue-taxi drivers. Keep applying this zero-tolerance stance consistently and it might well have the desired effect...

It's not only taxi drivers. Yesterday e.g. I watched in amazement as a new-age executive in a C230 Merc calmly "overtook" a 300m queue of vehicles waiting their turn to get out of the lower portion of Strydom Park. Clearly he felt superior to all of us and didn't feel the need to wait his turn. It's that sort of attitude that needs to be stamped out-i.e. Do whatever you want, where you want and when you want and don't bother about norms of common decency and certainly don't fear the consequences.

I have just returned from visiting a boy in hospital. He was involved in an accident with a car that didn't stop at a stop street. He was on a motorbike. He had right of way (no stop sign for him) and he has a valid license. The young man broke his leg but will be OK. Therefore, even minor offenses can have life altering consequences. So don't even put that argument on the table. It's invalid! Way to go Metro!

Maybe Metro should pay a visit to Sharonlea and Olivedale, where on any given morning up to 20 taxi's pass you on the wrong side of the road, playing cat and mouse with on-coming traffic. Or in Malibongwe drive at Mahogany Road, where the taxis turn left from the far right hand lane through the red robot. Maybe they will see how primary school children have to dodge taxis on the pavements!

People are weird, they just have to face the music if they break the law that slightest mistake they make can cause a fatal accident. Police please keep up the good work especial now that we are approaching the festive season.

I am all for pro active policing, but please dont use guerilla tactics to generate revenue. There is a system in place to collect outstanding fines, perhaps JMPD should look at streamlining that process. JMPD must just accept that the majority of their employees just ignore taxis, every person reading this will agree.

I get so sick of the .."but what about the rapists!" question. Traffic cops aren't there to arrest rapists, they're there to arrest traffic offenders. Which they did for a change. SAPS does the criminal bit. And if you think Taxi drivers should be locked up for driving like idiots (they should), then the same goes for you.

You are missing the point! The point is that if the emphasis was more on real crime, and some of these traffic cops were used in that capacity instead of sitting on their arses, manning cameras, etc. Perhaps then we would have a different crime situation in SA. The priorities are not in the right place, that is the point. Don't think so one dimensionally, Nismo!!!!!

I think taxis should be allowed to drive the way they are, they drive all day and no one gives them gaps or does anything to make their jobs easier, you forget that they are taking a lot of people to work on a daily basis and their business survives on whether or not they can get their passengers to their required destination on time, so i have no problem with taxi drivers, they just doing what they have to do to keep their business running

Firstly, Sergio you are a complete moron, you cannot defend the way they drive. Secondly and more importantly, metro cops undoubtetly avoid the taxis, why you ask? because it could simply get them shot. I recently witnessed a taxi do an illegal u turn without looking and nearly caused a major accident. The metro cop was standing right there and did nothing but watch it drive away past her. Right in front of her eyes.

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