They were desperate to use a toilet – that’s what most of the 31 drivers caught speeding around Brakpan, Alberton and Kempton Park told Ekurhuleni metro police officers who stopped them.
While nature’s call was one of the favourite excuses by motorists who got their cars to speeds of up to 184km/h at the weekend, other speedsters told the officers they were late for church or work, while some said they were rushing to see ill relatives.
Though lacking in originality, the excuses came thick and fast.
Possibly the best excuse was given by a driver going at 184km/h on the N12 eastbound in Alberton. The black BMW 1 Series driver told the metro police that he was on state business and was in a rush to fetch a very high-profile person.
But the name-dropping did not get the 31-year-old very far.
It was discovered that the Orlando East, Soweto, resident was just an ordinary citizen, and the vehicle did not belong to the government.
Some of the other cars favoured for shooting past the speed limit included an Audi Q7, Isuzu and Toyota light delivery vans, and a Mercedes-Benz Vito.
The incidents of speeding took place during mornings and afternoons between Friday and Sunday morning by some 31 drivers in Alberton, Brakpan and Kempton park.
All the arrested drivers paid bail of R500 – R1000.
They will appear in court to face charges of reckless and negligent driving.
Ekurhuleni metro police spokesman Chief Superintendent Wilfred Kgasago commented: “I don’t think people know, but if you are arrested as a first-time offender, your licence will be suspended for six months or you can be fined anything between R4000 and R8000.
“A second-time offender can have their licence suspended for two years and a third-time offender can lose use of their licence for five years or they can be heavily fined,” added Kgasago. – [ Story by Lerato Mbangeni, The Star]
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