Anna Cox
THE MOOI River, Tugela and Marianhill plazas have become a major headache for Kwa-Zulu Natal traffic officials as they are increasingly being used by truckers as informal truck stops.
Up to 100 trucks a night stop on the side of the road. Truck drivers sleep there, cook meals and socialise by eating, drinking and entertaining women.
John Schnell, director of the road traffic inspectorate, said registered letters had been sent out recently to the trucking companies who were the main culprits, asking them to tell their drivers to refrain from using the plazas as overnight stops.
The next step would be enforcement, he said.
It is our understanding that the companies will not give their drivers money to stop at proper truck stops thereby forcing them to stop at the plazas where they feel safer in numbers. However, they are exposing themselves to drink, drugs, women, personal and cargo theft from their vehicles as crime syndicates are known to operate at these plazas. We will start law enforcement at the plazas soon, he said.
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