How best to hide as the bullets fly

SHOULD you be caught in a cops-and-robbers shoot-out on a freeway, as has happened twice around Durban this month, the best place to take cover from flying bullets is behind your engine block.

So says traffic expert Johann von Bargen, who added that the robbers involved in the August 4 incident on the N2 and the August 14 incident on the M13 appeared to be the “no way are you going to get me” type who would fight to the death rather than surrender.

Four suspects died in the first shoot-out and three in the second.

“The idea is also to sit low and down and make yourself as small a target as possible,” Von Bargen said. “If you are stuck inside your car, get down into the well, where your feet are (while driving).”

Von Bargen added that a crash barrier, a brick wall and a solid tree were commonly found near roadsides and could also provide effective cover.

In the case of a crash barrier it was important to remember not to have one’s head and bottom sticking out above it.

“And a pole won’t work as cover,” he said.

Neither would an open car door.

“That’s only for the movies.”

Metro Police did not respond to a request for comment about what plan they may have to manage the enormous traffic congestion that occurred after the two freeway incidents.

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) said it posted messages on the variable message signs to warn motorists in advance of an incident so they “can consider exiting the freeway sooner to avoid the delay”.

“This would also have been the case when this incident occurred.” On exits, Sanral said:“In urban areas, interchanges are spaced on national roads, varying between 3km to 5km on average but it also depends on the volumes of traffic on the road and through which towns or cities it passes.

“The N2 through Durban has 11 interchanges between Isipingo and Mhloti over about 48km. This provides easy access on to and off the national roads. However, in peak traffic periods, the adjoining road network to the national road is quite often also congested, resulting in queuing and delays being experienced.”

This would have been the case when the incident occurred.

“Sanral, therefore, always urges the other road authorities to ensure there is a strengthened adjacent road network to provide relief to the national road.”