Speed cameras’ return is most welcome news

IT was interesting to see traffic speed cameras back along the roads last week, especially at the end of the

John Ross highway between Greenhills and Angler’s Rod, entering Meerensee.

This is a notorious stretch of road and has witnessed a number of high-speed accidents as the speed limit is ignored by most motorists.

This is by no means an isolated danger spot.

It doesn’t take a panel of experts to show that speeding is an ongoing issue in the city, along with ignoring red robots and stop signs, driving without seat belts and a host of other transgressions - the daily work commute is proof enough.

The pity is that those who once abided by the law are now doing exactly the same thing, and for the same reason: there has been no law enforcement on our roads.

In the not-too-distant past, drivers were regularly stopped and fined, and would not dare commit even minor offences, such as waiting across the stop lines for the lights to change at intersections.

And the sight of traffic cops along the road was common, most especially when they jumped into the road to wave you down to stop.

It’s not quite total anarchy and lawlessness on the roads, but it is close to that at certain places and times.

It is difficult to pinpoint exactly why and how the situation has evolved.

One reason could be the shortage of traffic officers and vehicles, which is inexcusable.

Another is that those who are employed are kept too busy doing other things, such as redirecting truck traffic and accompanying blue light brigades or VIPs.

But there is also the matter of the speed measuring equipment being damaged or uncalibrated – perhaps because of lack of technical expertise – so that evidence will not stand in court.

We have even been told of a shortage of traffic fine books because orders were not placed timeously.

It is surely in the municipality’s interest to operate speed traps and robot monitoring on a regular, perhaps daily, basis.

This would ensure a huge income from fines; but above that, it will make the roads safer for law-abiding citizens, as it enforces compliance and slowly changes behaviour.

By joining more regularly with the SAPS at roadblocks, they would also uncover unlicensed and drunk drivers, non-roadworthy vehicles, illegal firearms, drug traffickers and more.

Even though we might find ourselves donating our hardearned money to pay for fines, we wholeheartedly welcome seeing speed cameras back on the roads.

Especially in this harsh economic climate, people will think twice before breaking the law. our own hands.