Horrific Accident

[Hemi300c]

A major accident happened @ 7:30 am this morning on the corner of Hans Strijdom and Old Farm/Olympus in Pretoria East.

A taxi which was cruising down H/S hit another crossing over. Witness's said the one at fault was doing probably 110kmph.

There were definitely fatalities some immediate and some during the 90 minute evacuation and probably in hospital as well. Two helicopters were used and there was about 18 ambulances which assisted in the carnage.

It is so sad to see the death these irresponsible drivers cause and the one at fault was trapped inside with the female in the passenger seat hanging out the windscreen and deceased. The other driver tried to "disappear" but his injuries prevented him getting far.

I wish the law would truly hi these taxi drivers hard and give hard penalties for their various infringements.

I feel sorry for those passengers, whom have no other means of transport but to put their lives in these idiots hands every day and after speaking to some of my friends they say they are always scared but even more scared to say something to bad drivers. The also often witness bribes being given to traffic police.

This has to be stopped and they need to pay for endangering the lives of innocent people. Perhaps confiscation of vehicles after infringements etc would be best so they cannot endanger others.

Hans Strijdom is a "Hell" road and our councillor has approached the municipality for cameras etc @ the intersection at a cost of R65K but "they have no money" but also too often they have a few less voters and poor lives are lost too often at the intersection.

After this horrific accident hopefully something will get done.

[Thugscub]

Eish.





Sad to say, nothing will be done.

[Paul_S]

The passengers only have themselves to blame.
They let the drivers do what ever they want so they must live with the consequences of their apathy.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

[Korn1]

The passengers only have themselves to blame.
They let the drivers do what ever they want so they must live with the consequences of their apathy.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

Well what do you expect them to do? My maid hates taxis but thats her only transport

[supersunbird]

I was wondering what the ambulances and other emergency sirens were for. Didn't hear about the accident till 9 on our areas radio. Luckily all we've had for the past while is bumper bashings and thursday night a rolled car on serene street (took curve to fast) with no injuries.

Ok, well there were some multiple stabings the one night a month ago but thats easier to deal with than accidents...

[xrapidx]

I agree - the passengers need to start taking some responsibility.

[Sinbad]

I agree - the passengers need to start taking some responsibility.

The way I hear it told the passengers have very little say. If they complain about the driver he will dump them on the roadside without refunding what they've paid.
If they refuse to get into a taxi at a rank because it looks unsafe the queue Marshall will send them right to the back of the queue...

[DrYes]

Passengers berate the driver when they're late for work.

[waynegohl]

I have warned my daughter and friends to be on the lookout for taxis and other cars running the red lights especially here by us. The days of going on a green light are over as there are too many people running red lights.

Nothing will come of the taxi industry as they are a law unto themselves.

[werny]

I have warned my daughter and friends to be on the lookout for taxis and other cars running the red lights especially here by us. The days of going on a green light are over as there are too many people running red lights.

Nothing will come of the taxi industry as they are a law unto themselves.

Totally agree with you, one day I was standing at the Red light here in Bellville waiting for the green light, saw the orange light for the other side and then it went red, I then counted 6 cars that went over the red light when the light were already green for us, 2 of them were taxis.

It has become second nature for me now to wait a few seconds before going.

I'm gonna plant a bomb in every fu**ing taxi here in Bellville...

[McT]

Still nothing on the news websites on this. They're all focused on the ANC in Midrand.

[xrapidx]

The way I hear it told the passengers have very little say. If they complain about the driver he will dump them on the roadside without refunding what they've paid.
If they refuse to get into a taxi at a rank because it looks unsafe the queue Marshall will send them right to the back of the queue...

1.) If no passenger gets on a taxi because of the way he drivers - he looses.
2.) I have seen passengers many times come to the defence (sometimes violently) of taxi drivers when they're in minor accidents while disobeying the law, e.g. pushing in from the emergency lane.

[waynegohl]

Totally agree with you, one day I was standing at the Red light here in Bellville waiting for the green light, saw the orange light for the other side and then it went red, I then counted 6 cars that went over the red light when the light were already green for us, 2 of them were taxis.

It has become second nature for me now to wait a few seconds before going.

I'm gonna plant a bomb in every fu**ing taxi here in Bellville...

I'll play look out for you.

Rather wait a few seconds until you are sure the other vehicles are standing still at the red robot before you proceed.

[waynegohl]

Still nothing on the news websites on this. They're all focused on the ANC in Midrand.

If they were all supporters of the ANC and or came from the big do the ANC had now then you can be sure it will be headline news all over.

[Paul_S]

The way I hear it told the passengers have very little say. If they complain about the driver he will dump them on the roadside without refunding what they've paid.

I'd rather walk than die at the next intersection.

If they refuse to get into a taxi at a rank because it looks unsafe the queue Marshall will send them right to the back of the queue...

So people put up with the thuggish behaviour because it's too much effort to stand one's ground.
Sorry but that's the height of apathy and the reason why the taxi mob have the power that they currently have.

When my dad was in the army many moons ago, one of the drivers was driving dangerously fast and refused to slow down.
Eventually one of the soldiers pointed his rifle at the driver and told him that if he doesn't slow down he will pull the trigger.
The driver complied and after investigation was court marshalled for endangering the lives of his fellow soldiers.

Besides that point, a lot of the passengers seem to like the fact that the drivers push and shove their way through the traffic. A couple of times when I would not allow a taxi to push from the emergency lane into my lane I have seen how angry the passengers get with me. The angry scowls and angry voices show that they approve of breaking the law.