Truck drivers – a law onto their own
I feel the need to comment on two separate incidents that took place today on our roads. Leaving from the last traffic light of Brackenhurst travelling west on Swartkoppies at about 09:40 (October 30), and driving in the right hand lane, I caught up with a large truck carrying ready-mix concrete driving in the left lane.
ALBERTON – Out of curiosity I observed the registration plate of the truck and noticed that the driver was tailing a small car in front of him. The driver accelerated and was obviously trying to shake off this monster but to no avail and veered into the right hand lane. I wondered if the driver of the truck found it funny as he accelerated just to tail the next car who could not escape as the right hand lane was too busy.
When I was passing the cab of the truck I was horrified to see that the gap between the truck and this car was about a car length – too close for comfort.
Approaching the traffic light at Swartkoppies and Kliprivier Drive I waited behind other cars to turn right and saw in my rear view mirror that the truck had changed to the right hand lane accelerating towards the intersection barely missing the rear of my car. I appeal to the person being the owner of the truck, registration number PDN 122 GP to take the necessary steps to ensure that the drivers he employ are adequately trained and to inform them that a truck cannot be brought to a halt as quickly as a car.
The afternoon of the same day a friend arrived at my home rather shaken up. She had also been tailed by one of these monstrosities while driving from Edenvale to Alberton. In view of the above one wonders that surely the horrific crash on the N12 would bring some kind of driving awareness among the many road users, or has it been forgotten and everyone is just carrying on regardless? Where did professionalism regarding our transporters go, whether it be the drivers or the owners?
Transporters of yester-year were proud of their vehicles and ensured that they were in tip top condition before taking to the road. Owners were selective when employing drivers making sure that they also had a fair amount of mechanical experience. Resumes were scrutinised. Only skilled drivers were entrusted to operate these large trucks after tests and vigorous observations were carried out by the owner. Respect and courtesy on the roads as well as in the workplace was also a major priority. No wannabe drivers would ever have been considered.
In conclusion I would comment that living alongside the R59 can sometimes be hair-raising as the truck drivers start their fun and games in the early hours of the morning, waking residents with their continuous hooting and speeding. Later in the day in peak-hour traffic the dicing and driving alongside each other, obstructing traffic from passing seems to intrigue these idiots.
Accidents waiting to happen! Where are the cops? Then of course one cannot ignore to comment on the disrespecting driver that relieves himself from the cap of the truck in full view of children and adults playing in the garden below and throwing rude signs at them.
Maybe the powers to be should consider railway transport?
Brackenhurst resident
