Minibus taxis are just like rolling coffins on our highways and byways

One morning on my way to work in Rosebank, I counted the number of moving and nonmoving traffic violations involving minibus taxis. Subliminally, I noted about one such violation involving a private vehicle which skipped a red light.

Moving violations are offences such as skipping red traffic lights, not stopping at stop signs, speeding, crossing intersections on pull-off only lanes and driving in emergency lanes.

Non-moving violations include stopping in a no-stopping zone and stopping to offload passengers in an intersection.

I counted eight taxis skipping red lights, five taxis crossing intersections in the zebra-stripe zones and three mini-bus taxis crossing intersections on left turn-off only lanes.

I also counted six taxis stopping at intersections to pick up and drop passengers.

It is common knowledge that minibus taxis provide the bulk of the passenger travel in this country, but these rolling coffins, many in terrible condition held together with duct tape and wire, are a deadly menace on our highways and byways.

Having unmarked police cars and officers posted at high-infringement intersections can result in safer roads. This sort of operation would require less manpower than the huge road blocks we normally see on our roads.

Dr Peter Baker Parktown North, Joburg