Minibus taxis contribute to road carnage
THE LATEST minibus taxi crash that occurred in Bronkhorstspruit is undoubtedly a tragedy of mega proportions and millions of South Africans share the senseless loss of lives with the grieving families and friends of those 18 young innocent children who perished in the ensuing inferno.
Given the record of minibus taxi accidents over the years, and the almost total disregard for the rules of the road by some of these reckless taxi operators, should we still be surprised by incidents of this horrific nature?
The relentless chase for profit by minibus taxi owners and their law-breaking operators is there for all to see in unroadworthy vehicles, unskilled drivers, chronic over-loading, speeding, dangerous and illegal traffic manoeuvring, unscheduled and abrupt stopping.
It’s all there, the ingredients for disaster! Why, one may plead, is this mayhem allowed to continue? The answer is simple: For as long as minibus taxis are allowed to rule the road, and the poor commuters, those who literally and figuratively pay the price for travelling in these “coffins on wheels” what other options of travel are available to them? Very little, it seems.
I believe the central government erred greatly in flouting this industry without due diligence. Moreover, I believe it was the government’s inability to improve, increase and enhance existing public transport modes that resulted in the chaos we have today.
Your seven-seater Avanzas apparently can fit nine people. The 16-seater Quantums are known to load 20 passengers.
To many owners and drivers of minibus taxis: You do not transport sheep. We are people who pay you for a service. You are not supposed to endanger our lives by your belligerent actions and disregard for the general rule of law. People will say you are convenient, that you provide an essential service, and I would cautiously agree. However, this convenience prohibits you from endangering our lives and those of other road users by indiscriminate and reckless driving
I urge the government to seriously man-up and implement immediate stringent measures that result in the taxi industry being properly regulated and controlled. We mourn with those who have lost their loved ones and pray that the government heeds our calls and that carnage such as that in Bronkhorstspruit does not reoccur anywhere else.