The second phase of the CCTV
level-crossing camera enforcement system was implemented today in Buttskop.
This is after 10 children died at
the same place after the driver of the minibus taxi they were traveling in
ignored a lowered crossed boom which resulted in the taxi being hit by a train.
Western Cape MEC of Transport and Public Works
Robin Carlisle said reckless and irresponsible driving can inflict on those
most vulnerable.
Ministerial Spokesperson Siphesihle
Dube said what they have seen over the past year is
that there’s been in the region of 1 700 fines that were issued in 2012, and
also this year they have issued 2 831 fines at the level crossing.
“What they are hoping to happen is
that the footage that is captured by the CCTV cameras will also aid Metrorail
in instigate over and above the fines, civil proceedings against the major
transgression that knock over boom or behave recklessly when they choose to
ignore stop signs and level crossing boom when they are not supposed to,”
Dube added.
On the other hand Metrorail Western
Cape Regional Manger Mthuthuzeli Swartz said the introduction of CCTV cameras
at Buttskop will benefit them.
Swartz said the 80 near-misses at
the Buttskop level crossing in ten months is a serious problem.
“Over the last 10 months we have had
damages done to our equipment to the value of R100 000".
Having cameras there is going to
enable us to be able to identify who those culprits are and to be able to issue
fines,” Swartz added.
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