This is really a very stupid idea

I READ in my newsfeed that Transport Minister Dipuo Peters has advocated that mini-bus taxis, buses and goods vehicles should be fitted with governors limiting them to 80km/h.

Now I would expect this kind of thing from an ANC minister. They know nothing about anything, and stupidity is all we can expect. However, I am absolutely amazed that a certain Gary Ronald, speaking on behalf of the AA, has endorsed the idea. Which leads me to ask what kind of qualifications he could possibly have in order to pronounce – with approval – on such an irresponsible idea.

I was, for many years, a professional driver of heavy-duty vehicles, and I know exactly why this idiotic policy – if implemented – is going to cost lives.

What I want to know is why a supposedly responsible organisation like the AA is employing a spokesman who clearly does not know.

If you, or Ronald himself, would care to contact me, I will explain. Or perhaps you, or Ronald, would care to give the matter some thought, and perhaps think things through. I promise you that, if this thing ever sees the light of day, I will never ride on a public passenger vehicle again – not as a driver, nor as a passenger.

And you present yourselves as a professional motoring organisation.

I am copying this to all the newspapers I read. It would be interesting to see how many of them also think that this is a good idea.

And how many of them will be smart enough to research the issue and work out why it’s the most stupid idea since Thabo Mbeki’s weird theories on HIV. RON MCGREGOR CAPE TOWN