Truck driver arrested after viral video

A TRUCK driver who was driving dangerously on the R34 in KwaZulu-Natal has been found and arrested.

The incident was captured on video by another motorist.

The video, which was shared on social media, shows the truck driver driving his vehicle in the oncoming lane in order to overtake the vehicles in front of him.

Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe said traffic authorities in Mpumalanga had discovered that while the incident occurred in KZN, the truck had an Mpumalanga registration.

Shongwe has condemned the incident, which has been widely shared on social media, saying the driver’s conduct “put many lives in great danger with that type of driving”.

He added that such drivers should no longer be allowed on the road as they endangered other people’s lives.

“People like the driver in question do not deserve to have driving licences. Crashes that involve trucks often produces many fatalities, especially when public transport is involved,” he said.

Shongwe called on truck owners to assess the drivers they hire and ensure they adhere to the rules of the road.

The provincial Transport Department said it would contact the truck company that the driver was employed by.

“To ensure such incidents don’t have a repeat occurrence, the department will engage with the owner of the truck. The department will also have a programme to engage other truck owners to ensure safety on the roads.”

Mpumalanga traffic authorities acknowledged the contributions made by the trucking industry in the economy of the country, but stressed that those driving trucks must to do so with caution and discipline.