True to transporters’ commitment to monitor their drivers’ behaviour on the road in a view to reducing road carnage, Honey Lotus has suspended a truck driver caught driving recklessly on the N2.
The driver was caught overtaking another side tipper truck on a solid line about 50km after Pongola towards Piet Retief earlier this Saturday morning. The video of the incident was shared in the N2 Transporters/Safety WhatsApp group where the company picked it up.
Honey Lotus is one of the trucking companies present in the meetings to find a solution to N2 Pongola problems.
In the 22-second-video, the driver can be seen overtaking on a solid line before it turns to two solid lines. Luckily for him, there were no other vehicles approaching from the opposite lane.
His misdemeanour comes at a time when the Pongola community agreed to let trucks use the N2 through their town after lengthy meetings to find better ways to ensure the community is safe from reckless truck drivers like him.
In September, another side tipper truck driver, in the same manner, ended up colliding with a scholar transport bakkie killing 20 people on the spot. In protest, the Pongola community banned trucks from using the N2 route until trucking companies could agree to ensure their safety.
Speaking to SA Trucker, a company representative said the driver will be suspended with immediate effect pending his hearing for driving recklessly. The name of the truck driver, known to SA Trucker, cannot be revealed at this stage.
The company promised to conduct a fair hearing for the driver who it said has been with them for a long time.
SA Trucker was invited to attend the hearing to witness the proceedings.
Meanwhile, the community living along the N2 ensured that the driver was held accountable. Videos have surfaced of the same truck stopped by the community after the incident. Community policing members allegedly removed the truck driver and asked the company to bring another driver.
SA Trucker urges truck drivers to obey the law and respect other motorists. As we have always said, the road has eyes, someone is always watching when you do wrong and sooner or later your recklessness will be out for everyone to see which may cause you to lose your job.
