Are Taxi Drivers A Law Unto Themselves?

AM I missing something about the taxi demonstrations in the North? Are the new traffic laws only applicable to taxis? As far as I could establish, it isn’t the case. Since the new traffic fines have been introduced in December, taxi drivers have been complaining and demonstrating.

Yet we know that taxi drivers are among the worst on our roads irrespective of whether they are in Oshakati, Katima Mulilo, Walvis Bay, Keetmanshoop or Gobabis.
In fact, they feel they own the roads and, in most instances, want to instil fear in other drivers. Only they are in a rush all the time!
The majority of taxi drivers actually don’t care about obeying the traffic rules.
That is why many consumers and fellow drivers always remark that all taxi drivers care about is rushing to make money.
Not all taxi drivers are bad. You get some who drive carefully, respect fellow road users, and treat clients with utmost sincerity.
Two hours before writing this column, I took my children to school and encountered three different taxis disobeying traffic rules. One jumped a stop sign; one stopped where he should not have and one hooted and overtook another vehicle who had stopped at a four-way stop. The last one actually drove away with screeching tyres.
Yet, the same people claim they are specifically targeted by traffic personnel and the demonstrators in the North want the fines reduced.
As far as I could establish the new fines are across the board.
Within two weeks of the increased fines, Namibian traffic law enforcement units have reportedly issued tickets amounting to N$1,6 million to motorists – and not only taxi drivers – for speeding, driving without a licence, driving an unlicensed or unregistered vehicle and for driving without public transport operator certificates.
The increases, ranging from N$300 to N$4 000, seem to be a bit heavy but traffic fines have remained the same for the last 40 years.
That means today’s N$4 000 probably has less value than the N$300 fine in 1970.
But we should not focus too much on the fine. If you respect the law, you will not be punished with the heavy fines.
The drivers who demonstrated in the North claimed that the new fines are “a threat to taxi operators and forcing them to quit this service to the people, which will increase unemployment”. They threatened to raise taxi fares unless the fines are reduced.
To whose benefit is it if a driver does not talk on a cellphone whilst driving? Think of the many people who died because a vehicle did not stop at a red light or stop sign.
In hindsight, a N$2 500 for jumping a red light or N$2 000 for not stopping at a sign could be insignificant when compared to the value of lives destroyed or lost.
For reckless or negligent driving the new fine is N$4 000, while people cited for inconsiderate driving – such as making a U-turn where they are not allowed to – will be fined N$2 000.
Last year a vehicle made a U-turn on a national road after the driver saw traffic officers ahead. As a result the car behind that vehicle ran straight into it and several lives were lost unnecessarily.
The long and short of the new fines is the need to respect of law.
When the fines for not wearing seatbelts were introduced, many complained bitterly.
Today you can ask some of the car accident victims what has kept them alive and the majority will thank the same seatbelts for it.
Rather than marches and strikes, I urge those taxi drivers who are inconsiderate of other road users and have no respect for laws to toe the line.
You will not only save thousands but will also help make the roads safer for many others.