Urgent call for truck regulations after N3 accident: social media users share their frustrations
Concerns over road safety
The accident today on the N3 inbound route just before the Mariannhill Toll.
Image: Facebook/Durban Metro Police Service
MOTORISTS using the N3 inbound route just before the Mariannhill Toll were met with severe traffic delays today following a multiple truck collision.
The Durban Metro Police Service took to social media to alert the public about the heavy congestion, indicating that officers were on the scene regulating traffic and collaborating with emergency services to manage the aftermath of the incident.
This event is just the latest in a series of incidents involving trucks that have raised serious concerns about road safety during peak travel times, particularly during the morning and evening rush hours.
Social media users shared their frustrations and suggestions in response to the ongoing crisis following today's incident, highlighting the need for solutions to improve safety on the roads.
On the Durban Metro Police Service Facebook page, Bradley Craig Naidoo said all the accidents were happening during peak traffic times.
"Let's get the trucks off the roads between 6am-8am and 4pm-6pm. If the businesses don't like the idea, they should use the rail system."
Kumaren Gavin Raghunath added: We tend to blame the trucks , but it's a heavy duty vehicle and should be respected as such by light motor vehicles. Far too often you see a car doing the wrong and causing the truck to brake hard or avoid him, which leads to these sorts of accidents.
The urgency of this issue has been underscored by Thursday's tragic incident in Lotus Park, Isipingo, where 11 individuals, including a school pupil, lost their lives in a collision between a truck and a minibus taxi. Seven more sustained serious injuries and required hospitalisation.
In a media statement following yesterday's incident and an investigation, KZN Transport MEC Siboniso Duma said truck and taxi drivers, including owners, must face murder charges.
He said the truck tyres were worn out and that it was illegal to drive with worn tyres. Duma said the Professional Driving Permit for the taxi driver had expired in 2023.
He added that the taxi was overloaded with between 17 and 18 passengers, and that the owners of the truck must face consequences for only focusing on maximising profit and not ensuring the roadworthiness of the truck.