Do roadblock warnings endanger motorists?

Binary_Bark

Binary_Bark

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No one wants to share the road with drunk or illegal drivers, yet thanks to Pigspotters, Traffic Info and Cop Watch 2 we often do.

These are some of the local WhatsApp groups warning people about roadblocks.

Yes, it might be handy to know which areas to avoid in order to not get pulled over, but it does not make being on the road any safer.

KwaDukuza community safety assistant superintendent Heidi Minnaar said they are pleading with the public to stop reporting roadblocks via social media.

“If our location is shared, it makes it hard to do our law enforcement duties fairly and without bias to those who are not on social networks and it is also considered defeating the ends of justice.

“One’s contact details are easily obtainable on the “group info” and we want to start reporting people and opening cases,” said Minnaar.

Umhlali SAPS Captain Vinny Pillay said sharing information about roadblocks could have serious implications.

“People must remember the next drunken or unlicensed driver who evades a roadblock could be the next person who causes an accident. Who is to say the innocent party won’t be a family member or close friend? Warning people about road blocks encourages drunken driving,” said Pillay.

While it might not be morally correct to send out warning messages, Ballito lawyer Alistair Janssens said these WhatsApp groups were not unlawful.

He referred to a similar case: “In S v Perera [1978 3 SA 523 (T)] it was held that the person flashing lights to oncoming traffic will only be guilty of a criminal offence if that driver has reason to believe that the vehicle approaching is exceeding the speed limit, or that the driver of this vehicle has the intention of exceeding the speed limit.”

He said this behaviour is “nothing more than a warning to others to obey the law”. The state would have to prove that you have warned people who you believe are above the alcohol limit, which would be an impossible task.

Janssens said one argument is that by sharing this information you could in fact prevent someone from driving who would normally do so were there not a roadblock.

“In other words, this would have the exact opposite effect to defeating the ends of justice.”
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https://northcoastcourier.co.za/109066/roadblock-warnings-endanger-motorists/
 
I guess next they're going to argue that Waze is also unlawful as people are actively pointing out roadblocks and police presence.
 
VooDooC said:
I guess next they're going to argue that Waze is also unlawful as people are actively pointing out roadblocks and police presence.
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In some European countries, this functionality is blocked on Waze.
 
All these statements based on anecdotal evidence and what if is becoming really tiring.
 
Fusk you - I do not drink & drive. Don't drive late at night either (when most drunk driving roadblocks occur).

99,9999999% of roadblocks in Jozi are the utterly useless JMPD checking for expired vehicle licences. No lights? No numberplate? So long as your license is up to date (or you have a R200 note) it is NO PROBLEM.

I will report roadblocks on Waze every single time I see them.

As an aside - it has always baffled me why the cops don't position themselves 200 metres down the road from large pubs/venues after big matches. They'd actually be doing society a favour by catching the drunken skunks shortly after they leave the venue.
 
This mentality just baffles me..

The only time a warning about a roadblock could even vaguely be construed as enabling a person to drink and drive would be if that warning is dished out inside a pub/club... but then its verbal and it would be practically impossible to prove who did it, unless it was directly to a police officer...
 
Trompie67 said:
Fusk you - I do not drink & drive. Don't drive late at night either (when most drunk driving roadblocks occur).

99,9999999% of roadblocks in Jozi are the utterly useless JMPD checking for expired vehicle licences. No lights? No numberplate? So long as your license is up to date (or you have a R200 note) it is NO PROBLEM.

I will report roadblocks on Waze every single time I see them.

As an aside - it has always baffled me why the cops don't position themselves 200 metres down the road from large pubs/venues after big matches. They'd actually be doing society a favour by catching the drunken skunks shortly after they leave the venue.
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Rather, 99.9% of those roadblocks are to target soft targets for bribes..
 
f2wohf said:
In some European countries, this functionality is blocked on Waze.
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Unless they have a way of keeping traffic flow normal and not turn into a disaster and nighmare like we have here when there is a road block in effect then Waze would most likely route you past that traffic hold up anyway, even if flagging it as a official road block is removed or disabled?
 
Ockie said:
Unless they have a way of keeping traffic flow normal and not turn into a disaster and nighmare like we have here when there is a road block in effect then Waze would most likely route you past that traffic hold up anyway, even if flagging it as a official road block is removed or disabled?
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They usually don’t do roadblocks like here clogging the entire traffic and the traffic is anyway almost always dense.

It’s much more organized.
 
Stop causing traffic and people will stop warning others.

More often than not, this bullschit is about outstanding fines anyway, and nothing to do with road safety.

The road block itself is actually more dangerous to motorists who are travelling at highway speeds and have to perform emergency stops because of the stationary traffic ahead. So much for road safety...
 
While it might not be morally correct to send out warning messages, Ballito lawyer Alistair Janssens said these WhatsApp groups were not unlawful.

He referred to a similar case: “In S v Perera [1978 3 SA 523 (T)] it was held that the person flashing lights to oncoming traffic will only be guilty of a criminal offence if that driver has reason to believe that the vehicle approaching is exceeding the speed limit, or that the driver of this vehicle has the intention of exceeding the speed limit.”

He said this behaviour is “nothing more than a warning to others to obey the law”. The state would have to prove that you have warned people who you believe are above the alcohol limit, which would be an impossible task.

Janssens said one argument is that by sharing this information you could in fact prevent someone from driving who would normally do so were there not a roadblock.
Click to expand...

So this is about flashing lights at people warning them about a road block. How does someone warn another to obey the law by flashing their lights? If the person already drank and is driving then you are helping them avoid the roadblock. i.e. not a warning. More like aiding and abetting a crime. If the person didn't drink then what is the point in flashing your lights? They'll go through the roadblock just fine.

So from this the only reason one would flash their lights is to aid and abet.
 
SaiyanZ said:
So this is about flashing lights at people warning them about a road block. How does someone warn another to obey the law by flashing their lights? If the person already drank and is driving then you are helping them avoid the roadblock. i.e. not a warning. More like aiding and abetting a crime. If the person didn't drink then what is the point in flashing your lights? They'll go through the roadblock just fine.

So from this the only reason one would flash their lights is to aid and abet.
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How about to be ready for static traffic (which is a hazard) or other hazards (like the Pidiot cops that don't want to wear their Hi-Viz)?
 
NarrowBandFtw said:
How about flashing to warn people to slow down as there are standing cars up ahead ...
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Could be but if the cops set up the road block properly there would be adequate time to stop. So it's not an excuse. Also it's not our job to be cops on the road.
 
SaiyanZ said:
Could be but if the cops set up the road block properly there would be adequate time to stop. So it's not an excuse. Also it's not our job to be cops on the road.
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They set it up to be as hidden as possible, else there would be adequate time to make a u-turn and get the hell out of there ... regardless, they can't possibly hope to prove the person flashing lights was intentionally obstructing justice vs warning people to slow down.

I've noticed on a recent holiday road trip the number of good Samaritans flashing lights have dropped dramatically compared to the norm though.
 
Friday hell N4 north just after the lanseria off ramp roadblock

One way to spend 4 hours on a friday :sick:
 
SaiyanZ said:
Could be but if the cops set up the road block properly there would be adequate time to stop. So it's not an excuse. Also it's not our job to be cops on the road.
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Well, I completely agree with warning other road users about upcoming hazards, or whatever else causes traffic to build up. I have done it, and have also been warned before. That's not playing cop, but could genuinely prevent an accident. If somebody flashes his lights at me I slow down, even when driving at the speed limit, you never know what could be around the next corner.
 
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