Robin Carlisle, the MEC for Transport and Public Works in the Western Cape has laid a criminal charge against a motorist alleged to have damaged the boom at Steenberg’s White Road Level Crossing, this morning.
The boom at Blackheath’s Buttskop level crossing has also recently been damaged.
Clearly we are going to have to be harder on those drivers that, despite the well-publicised, horrific fatalities due to driver negligence at level crossings, continue to break the law.
MEC Carlisle saw the White Road boom was damaged when he approached it this morning, at around 8:30am.
While I was attempting to fix the boom I was approached by a gentleman who told me he had witnessed the incident and managed to take the registration number of the vehicle involved.
I spoke to the owner of the bakkie, who identified the driver. I then accompanied the witness to Kirstenhof South African Police Service (SAPS), where we made statements.
If the driver knocked down the White Road boom, then he must be put behind bars.
The level of disregard these drivers have shown for their safety and the safety of others is mind-blowing. Clearly the only way to save us - and them - from themselves, is to start putting them all behind bars.
I would like to thank the witness that came forward and encourage anyone that witnessed the Buttskop incident to immediately contact the police.
Meanwhile, the MEC has conveyed his condolences to the family of a cyclist who was struck by a train while crossing the railway line a few hundred metres from the Buttskop Level Crossing, this morning.
As in all the other cases, this is a tragedy and a completely unnecessary one. It is a completely wasted life. It is totally unnecessary.
Enquiries:
Steven Otter
Cell: 084 233 3811
