We would like to share an email sent to the Arrive Alive road safety website:
Hello all that can help and make a difference!
Please think very carefully over the following: nobody ever stops at any STOP signs, and it is no excuse that you went over slowly. In fact few motorists go over it slowly! For the past few years I have seen motorists go over stop-streets at a high speed, with cell phone in one hand (and showing a finger with the other if you dare to show them that they did not stop), putting on make-up, with a dog on the (driver’s) lap, etc.
Worrying is the verbal/physical abuse if you point it out, but please remember that if it happens to you that you can (must) lay a criminal charge of crimen injuria/assault (a threat is attempted assault).
The most worrying fact now is that even red traffic lights are being ignored – and I mean as in ‘No cars are coming, so I will go!’ Thinking is: ‘If I am not caught at stop-streets, then nothing is going to happen if I skip a red-light!’
Even more worrying is that scholars see it and do it themselves – why not, their parent are doing it. And what about the wives and girlfriends? – they also do it. SAPS and Traffic officers are nowhere to be seen, so what to do? Simple: children and schools must step in and say: “No more, stop where you must stop!” Talk to your parents!
But in case SAPS and Traffic do something they must go the whole hog and implement the (New York PD) Broken Glass Policy: stop the motorist, do a thorough check of the vehicle (e.g. check the VIN, indicators, brakes – which might be the reason for not stopping – etc.) and then issue a summons, and you can be assured it will not happen again soon as TIME is the main reason for skipping stop-streets and traffic-lights. And then there is AARTO: I say that it is the best thing that can happen if the licence is taken away from a driver who cannot abide by the rules of the road.
The above is applicable all over our country, but it can be seen everyday at the following stop-streets and traffic-lights in Welgemoed and Kenridge: Jip de Jager right lane that is just meant for Welgemoed Primary is used as a racetrack to cut into the left lane (a camera is a must here), Jip de Jager/Pandoer, Jip de Jager/Kommissaris, Jip de Jager/Van Ribeeckshof, Door De Kraal/Greenfields, Greenfields/Van Riebeeck, etc (note: there is no stopping at any stop-street near and between Kenridge Primary and Fairmont High). What about permanent cameras at these locations? There is ample place, amongst all the school traffic for Officers to park and video what is taking place.
What about introducing a new law to double the fine (and AARTO-points) if an offense is committed within two km of a school!
I wonder what a motorist thinks (or whoever is in the vehicle with the motorist) when these offenses are committed?
Please give attention to save our children. It is not necessary that I give my name or personal details as it is clear for all to see to see: please visit these ‘scenes of crime’ and give attention.
Thank you,
Concerned citizen