Cape Town – Traffic Police in Gauteng have launched an investigation after two videos of a man sitting in a grocery trolley hanging onto the back of a speeding petrol delivery truck went viral on social media.
The incident was believed to have happened along the N1 South, east of Pretoria.
In the video, the man seemed to be aware of shocked motorists filming him, as he waved at them.
It remained unclear where the man was going.
A statement said that police had since issued a stern warning to hitchhikers on major routes in the province, saying investigations into the alleged hitchhiking incident were currently under way and the hitchhiker would be brought to book soon.
— M_MSIZA (@msiza_jv) April 4, 2022
“The Gauteng Traffic Police would like to warn hitchhikers that such irresponsible behaviour is punishable by law enforcement authorities.
“The law is very clear, in terms of Regulation 316 (5) read with section 89 (6) of National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 stipulates that anyone who constitutes a source of danger to himself or herself thereby endangering other road users commits an offence and may be convicted to a one year direct imprisonment without the option of a fine if convicted in a court of law,” said Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson Sello Maremane.
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“Road users are encouraged to make use of public transport as an alternative means rather than endangering their lives and that of other road users,” he added.
Police urged members of the public to alert the law enforcement authorities should they observe such unwarranted conduct by hitchhikers.
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