Report a road hog today

2008-07-25 09:02

Carina van Wyk

Johannesburg - Speedsters and road hogs can now be reported to Arrive Alive by other motorists.

A letter of warning is sent to the owner of the vehicle after Arrive Alive receives a complaint.

After three warning letters, a motorist can be legally charged.

Ranthoko Rakgoale, executive head of the Road Traffic Management Corporation says the owner of the reported vehicle is informed of the allegations against him.

If the vehicle owner himself was driving, he is advised to improve his behaviour on the road. If someone else was driving, the vehicle owner is asked to bring the allegations to the driver's attention.

If they're not happy, they can inform the corporation in writing.

This, as well as the original complaint, will be placed on a data base.

Rakgoale says people whose names appear on the database for a third time, could be charged if there are witnesses who are prepared to testify against them.

'Report bad driving'

The Department of Transport is making use of electronic signboards on highways to encourage motorists to report bad driving.

The words "Report bad driving" regularly appear on these signboards along with a telephone number.

A spokesperson for the Transport Department, Collen Msibi, says people reporting bad driving have to provide their personal details and address to ensure that accusations do not spring from personal vendettas.

He says the frequent complaints include red traffic lights that are disregarded, motorists that speed and people that overtake unsafely.

A considerable number of complaints over busses, taxis and trucks have been received, Msibi says.

However, truck drivers and bus drivers, especially, are heeding the warnings they receive.

Bad driving can be reported at www.arrivealive.co.za or 0861 400 800.

- Beeld