Confusing stop sign draws the ire of motorists

ERIC Baker, 70, said he was driving in his Audi sedan down Ou Kaapse Weg towards Tokai Road on December 3 and passed the stop sign for trucks as he’d done many times before.

Baker said he and other motorists did not stop, as the sign about 100m before the stop sign reminded “truck drivers” with vehicles of a weight of 3.5 tons and more that they were required to stop.

“Nowhere does the signage indicate that normal cars must stop,” said an exasperated Baker, who was fined R1 500 for not stopping at this stop sign.

Weekend Argus visited the road and observed that many motorists ignored the stop sign. Drivers coming from Hout Bay or Simon’s Town towards Tokai Road have the use of two lanes. One lane heads straight down to the traffic light, where motorists can only turn left. The left lane has a slipway after the “truck stop” that allows motorists to turn left on to Tokai Road.

Attorney Marcello Stevens said the issue was contentious. “The sign is meant for truck drivers only. In fact, normal cars are not supposed to make use of that lane.” He said Baker still had to pay the fine or go to court and get the fine reduced or apply to city hall for the fine to be reduced.

Executive director for Safety and Security, Richard Bosman, said they were still studying the details of this specific case. “However, motorists who receive traffic fines can make representations in writing before the court date or wait to appear in court and make representations for the fine to be scrapped or reduced,” he said.

PICTURES: HENK KRUGER/AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY/ANA Eric Baker speaks to the Weekend Argus at the bottom of Ou Kaapse Weg, where a new stop sign has been installed. There is confusion whether the stop sign (pictured below) is only for trucks or compulsory for drivers with all types of vehicles. Baker was fined R1 500 for not stopping at this stop sign.