Home >> Letters

I would like a fine, not the chance to bribe traffic officials

‘Twice not caught’ writes:

I warn Sandton residents regularly using Sandton Drive or Rivonia Road of traffic officers asking for bribes.

It was a fairly late afternoon when I approached the amber traffic light arrow that allows a right turn into Rivonia Road from Sandton Drive. Before I exited the turn, it had of course turned to red and I was stopped by a female traffic officer.
She insisted I had gone through this turning arrow when it was already red. She asked for my driver’s licence which I presented, and said I should pay her a traffic fine of R750. I told her I had no money on me and she offered to reduce it to R500. I told her again that I had no money and she asked what she should do. I said to give me a warning and I’d never do it again, or give me a ticket and I’d pay the fine at a police station.
A few days later, I travelled the opposite way on Sandton Drive to Sandton City. At the corner of Sandton Drive and Alice Road, I made a U-turn to enter Sandton City from Sandton Drive. Another female traffic officer stopped me and asked for my driver’s licence. She wanted R750. I told her to give me a ticket and I would pay it at the nearest police station. She reminded me that it would earn me three demerit points, and said I should buy her lunch if she let me go.
Both officers wore no badge and neither would give me a ticket.We must take a stand and insist on a traffic ticket or an identity from the person.

Published on February 23, 2010 at 3:03 pm