Careless drivers and truckers are the bane of emergency services on the North Coast, said Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) search and rescue specialist Nazir Sadack.
Driving into central Tongaat to respond to a medical emergency earlier this week, one responder told the Courier he had been blocked access to the scene by a gigantic horse and trailer that navigated through the CBD, holding up emergency services and critical support units.
It was obvious that the driver had chosen the route through Tongaat rather than pay toll fees.
A local trucking company director, who asked not to be named admitted, they were aware of the bypasses that truck drivers make to avoid the toll plazas.
“I know the drivers deliberately take these routes, as much as they try to stay off the main roads because it means they save on toll fees,” said the businessman.
Having responded to countless emergencies, Sadack stresses that drivers need to be alert and aware of traffic around them to notice ambulances or response vehicles with their lights and sirens, and give way as soon as possible.
“What often happens is that drivers get a shock when a response vehicle arrives behind them, and their instincts make them slam on their brakes.
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