Taxi drivers urged to obey road rules amid post-festive travel
Mapaballo Borotho
- The National Taxi Alliance has warned taxi drivers to obey traffic laws as the festive season return travel continues.
- The warning comes after a deadly crash between a minibus taxi and a sedan killed six people in Fouriesburg, Free State.
- Authorities are still investigating the cause of the accident.
As travellers continue returning to various destinations after the busy festive season, the National Taxi Alliance (NTA) has issued a stern warning to taxi drivers, saying lawlessness on South African roads will not be tolerated.
The alliance urged drivers to comply with the rules of the road at all times to ensure passenger safety.
The NTA has also joined forces with the Department of Transport to conduct roadworthiness checks on taxis, focusing on issues such as speeding, overloading and vehicle fitness.
NTA spokesperson Theo Malele said it is crucial for taxis to meet all safety standards in order to prevent fatal road crashes.
The warning follows a tragic accident that claimed six lives over the weekend in Fouriesburg, Free State, involving a 22-seater minibus taxi and a sedan.
Police spokesperson Mmako Mophiring said the cause of the crash is still under investigation, but it is alleged that a white Kia sedan travelling from Mashaeng towards Fouriesburg failed to stop at an intersection and collided with a white Mercedes-Benz minibus taxi travelling from Ficksburg to Pretoria.
The sedan was carrying five occupants, while the minibus taxi had 22 occupants, including the driver.
“The driver and two passengers died at the scene. The remaining 19 occupants sustained injuries and were transported to hospitals in Bethlehem and Bohlokong for medical treatment,” Mophiring said.
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