Concerns over lawlessness by trucks
MARBLE HALL – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality (EPMLM) has raised concerns over the disregard of road rules by some truck drivers in Marble Hall.
The DA moved that the matter needed urgent attention from the EPMLM law enforcement agency division, which seemed relaxed amid the seriousness of the situation.
Flip Jacobs, DA Councillor in EPMLM, indicated that he wrote to the Municipal Manager and the Director of Community Services seeking intervention from the local municipality on the matter, but his communication has still not been responded to.
Jacobs said the inaction by the two offices over a matter that deserved urgent attention showed drag of feet in addressing serious services delivery issues directly affecting rate payers on a daily basis.
Jacobs said: “Traffic signs provide valuable information to drivers and other road users. They represent rules that are in place to keep people safe and help to communicate messages to drivers and pedestrians that can maintain order and reduce accidents. Neglecting them can be dangerous.
And Traffic Officers enforce the rules of the road and signs. They ensure that all road users including pedestrians use our roads in an orderly and safe manner. The main purpose of Traffic Officers is to ensure the safe and free flow of traffic to prevent road crashes and deaths on our roads.”
Jacobs needed to know if the municipality had a plan in place to put up road signs where needed to assist the law enforcement officers to do their duties and validate the legality of their fines.
“If there is a master plan the municipality must bring it forward. If there is no plan, when is it going to be ready for public participation? What is the plan for fining trucks that are sleeping in the town, driving and sleeping in the residential area, will the municipality pay for damages caused by the trucks in a residential area due to lack of road signs and law enforcement. Are there any disaster plans in place should there be in town from these truck or even in the worst case scenario, an explosion?” asked Jacobs.
Jacobs further worried about deaths involving the trucks hitting pedestrians in the town. A resident who requested to remain anonymous confirmed that about three years ago, a lady was killed by a truck in the area and nothing has happened since then.
The paper sent a communication Via WhatsApp and an SMS to the EPMLM to enquire if the municipality had plans in place to put up road signs where needed to assist the law enforcement officers to do their duties and validate the legality of their fines but the communication was not responded to at the time of going to press.
