Campaign Against Lawless Taxis Launched

Reckless taxi drivers must be held accountable Afriforum's campaign hopes to curb reckless driving by minibus taxis on our roads

The bane of many South African drivers, as well as insurance companies, are lawless taxis that dominate the country's roads, driving at reckless speed, cutting across lanes and pulling out of stops without a glance in their side mirrors.

Many road accidents have been caused by these taxis, who don't bother stopping at the scene of the crime and simply drive off.

One civil rights group, AfriForum has decided to take matters into its own hands and is urging South African drivers to take photographs with their cellphones of any taxi driver thought to be driving recklessly on the roads.

AfriForum will then formulate a statement and make an official complaint on behalf of the driver to the South African Police.

"As the traffic authorities are not visible enough and in some cases even ignore the traffic offences of taxi drivers, the time has come for law abiding road users to take steps within the framework of the law themselves against reckless taxi drivers," said the Chief Executive of AfriForum, Kallie Kriel.

Kriel also said that AfriForum would be examining existing laws the govern accidents involving taxis, which cause millions of rand in damage in terms of insurance payouts, injuries and others, each year. Minibus taxis are involved in four times as many accidents as regular vehicles, according to recently released statistics.

A report will be put together and submitted to the Minister of Transport, along with a petition and personal stories, said AfriForum.

"The minimum penalty should be increased dramatically in order to send an unambiguous warning to reckless drivers that their actions will not be tolerated," said Kriel.