INDUSTRY OBSERVATION

Really dangerous situations!

So there we were cruising down the M1 (at night) when on the other side of the highway, we noticed that there were a lot of vehicles braking hard, as though it was an emergency situation – and so it was. 

The reason for the problem, we deduced, was a truck tractor and tri-axle trailer parked on the verge of the “fast lane,” i.e. as far off the highway that the driver could get the rig. 

To refresh your memories, most of the highways in Johannesburg at least, have had the road builders expand on the lanes, which has resulted in encroachment on the traditional yellow lane and the verge on the other side. 

The verge I am writing about was far too narrow to accommodate a rig of this size.

In summary, the situation was as follows.

The driver of the rig was part of a team off-loading and subsequently erecting banners of a political party. As an aside and of no relevance, every alternate banner appeared to be an advert for a “NEW” strip club!! No jokes!! 

Apologies to our readers from outside Gauteng, but check with anybody to cross reference my statement! Maybe this political party is subsidising this club as well! 

A summary of the environment:

The verge is negligible and the rig’s driver had tried his best to get as close to the median Armco barrier as possible. The banner team had placed one of those temporary construction flashing lights not further than five metres from the rear of the trailer. It was approximately 8 p.m. and obviously very dark. 

The driver was alone. The banner team was travelling in an LDV and consisted of a five man team with a couple of ladders to work in tandem. 

Motorists were definitely doing 100kms/ hour if not more on this section! I would like to highlight the transgressions as follows: 

1. The only warning was the flashing construction light five metres behind the trailer. 

2. The driver was committing, what I would deem to be, a major offence, never mind whether he was under duress, instruction or just plain complacent. 

3. The ladder team worked between the Armco barriers with no safety protection. 

4. The banners themselves were left loose on the verge (awaiting erection). 

5. The LDV, credit to the driver, was in front of the rig so if there was an incident, the LDV was protected in the shadow of the rig. 

6. Other workers were off-loading the banners from the trailer as the truck continued moving along the verge. 

If ever there was a recipe for a major accident, this scenario had all the potential in the world. 

Furthermore, let’s list all the negligent parties to this. Please note, this is a private viewpoint. We are highlighting the case study and certainly not apportioning blame to any particular parties: 

1. The traffic authorities. They were nowhere to be seen, but to allow this gross negligence is criminal. 

2. The driver. Whether under duress or instruction, to allow yourself to be “bullied” into operating your rig in this environment is negligent and criminal. 

3. The owner of the rig. Similarly to allow your driver and rig to be placed in such a precarious situation is negligent and liable for a criminal charge in the event of an accident. 

4. The banner team. Personally, I believe banners should be banned. They do distract drivers. Negligent and culpable. 

5. The team who were off-loading and erecting the banners were all placed in danger. 

6. The owners of the banner erection company. To place your employees in that situation is extremely negligent. 

Notice how many parties contribute or are culpable in such a situation. 

The most depressing part was the vehicle belonged to one of our clients. 

We have alerted them to the situation which they were not aware of. 

In South Africa, we just question why safety issues are so seldom treated seriously?