Road user pleads for visible and effective traffic enforcement on route between Krugersdorp and Pretoria

We would like to share an email to the Arrive Alive website by a concerned road user who regularly travels between Krugersdorp and Pretoria:

” There are dangerous drivers between 05h10 and 07h00 on route between Krugersdorp and Pretoria.

They drive at extremely high speeds, drive up to the cars in front of them until it seems if they are the trailors of the cars (which is not far from the truth – their manners remind me of trailor trash).

If the cars, who are overtaking other cars,  do not brake sharp to switch to the left lane so that the speeder can have the right hand lane all by him- or herself, they pass them unsafely near them in the left hand lane, then they switch sharply to the right hand lane – right in front of the car who were actually the one who did not break the traffic rules.

Then they brake right in front of the driver, who was actually driving at 122km/h a little above the speed limit and drive extremely slowly for a while. The poor driver can not do anything, because there are cars in the left hand line. After a while the bad driver looses interest, or remember that he or she needs to speeds and off they go to find another driver to be intimidated.

We need protection against these traffic offenders.The person iin the wrong is not the one who drives at 122km/h while he or she is overtaking another car. It is the one who drives at such a speed that they catch up with drivers driving at 122km/h, which is already above the speed limit.

If these drivers are not taken off the N14, we are going to have serious accidents on this road, especially near Diepsloot, where pedestrians passes the N14 via foot. It is still very dark, therefore it is impossible to see a pedestrian or any other person/hazard before it is too late while driving at those reckless speeds. It helps on the N14 (behind Centurion) that speed cameras are manned almost always.

Can it please be done on the N14 between Krugersdorp and Pretoria between 05h00 and 09h00 and then again in the afternoons between 14h30 and 18h00? It works on the N1, where drivers obeys the traffic rules because of visible policing.

If it can not be done, please provide us with a website where we can report such drivers without disclosing our own identities. If they are that reckless on the road, and the person whom they have intimidated reports them, i am quite sure they will find and attack them.

By doing so, a data basis can be build up against traffic offenders – and we wash each others hands.

Such a data basis can be used to prove that a driver does it always and that it was not in a moment of madness. It can help the police to get all their information during road blocks. It can be advertised as well that we can report such drivers without revealing our own identities.

I also think we have to make people aware of these dangerous, reckless, speeding drivers. I have reported one on your site today – CT 93 JL GP. This person seems to be aggressive and dangerous and I really do not want to meet him face to face although I was so intimidated by his dangerous overtaking that I took the time to write the report.

What we need is basic information – the number of the car should be compulsary, but the colour, make and other detailed fields should not be compulsary to be completed.

I think it would be a great idea to make the following video:

1) car passing another car, a little above the speed limit

2) one coming up at high speed from the back, until too close to the driver

3) Great – now the reckless driver has the attention of the one who is driving in front and being intimidated.

4)  BAd driver passsing on left hand side, too close to the driver he/she wants to intimidate.

5)  BAd driver braking in front of the driver wgo is not in the wrong and who did travel at the speed limit

6)  AHA- moment – BAd driver has the full attention of the alerted driver

7)  Alerted driver see the following detail as clear as crystal – make of the car, registration number, colour

8)  AHA moment – report incident via cell phone or website that needs few information

9)  Traffic police alerted in the nearest town

10) The face of the fool who ensured that all his detail could be remembered because of his own aggressive attitude towards other road users – BEHIND BARS.

11) Alcohol test being done – to proof he/she is drunk or to proof he/she knew what they did

12) The message – if you want to ignore the traffic rules, you have to ensure that you do not offend the other users of the road. Thing is – that is your way of driving, your habit. The possibility that you can have more than one report with regard to your bad driving on one piece of the road- such as the N14 between Krugersdorp and Pretoria (mornings between 05h00 and 09h00) and the other way round (evenings between 14h30 and 18h30), is quite large.

We need to teach bad drivers a lesson – the others who plan carefully, who leave their houses in time and who take the punch for being late due to their own bad time management is fed up with their aggressive use of the raods.

In fact, they are welcome to build their own roads where they can kill themselves due to their bad driving skills.

This site could be perfect for launching such a shortened version to build a data basis of bad drivers.  And it can be very handy when they want to renew their drivers licences. If a lot of people were so offended by their driving that they took the time to write a report, these bad drivers certainly need to be retrained so that they can become responsible users of our roads.”

;

;

Road user pleads for visible and effective traffic enforcement on route between Krugersdorp and Pretoria

Road user pleads for visible and effective traffic enforcement on route between Krugersdorp and Pretoria

We would like to share an email to the Arrive Alive website by a concerned road user who regularly travels between Krugersdorp and Pretoria:

” There are dangerous drivers between 05h10 and 07h00 on route between Krugersdorp and Pretoria.

They drive at extremely high speeds, drive up to the cars in front of them until it seems if they are the trailors of the cars (which is not far from the truth – their manners remind me of trailor trash).

If the cars, who are overtaking other cars,  do not brake sharp to switch to the left lane so that the speeder can have the right hand lane all by him- or herself, they pass them unsafely near them in the left hand lane, then they switch sharply to the right hand lane – right in front of the car who were actually the one who did not break the traffic rules.

Then they brake right in front of the driver, who was actually driving at 122km/h a little above the speed limit and drive extremely slowly for a while. The poor driver can not do anything, because there are cars in the left hand line. After a while the bad driver looses interest, or remember that he or she needs to speeds and off they go to find another driver to be intimidated.

We need protection against these traffic offenders.The person iin the wrong is not the one who drives at 122km/h while he or she is overtaking another car. It is the one who drives at such a speed that they catch up with drivers driving at 122km/h, which is already above the speed limit.

If these drivers are not taken off the N14, we are going to have serious accidents on this road, especially near Diepsloot, where pedestrians passes the N14 via foot. It is still very dark, therefore it is impossible to see a pedestrian or any other person/hazard before it is too late while driving at those reckless speeds. It helps on the N14 (behind Centurion) that speed cameras are manned almost always.

Can it please be done on the N14 between Krugersdorp and Pretoria between 05h00 and 09h00 and then again in the afternoons between 14h30 and 18h00? It works on the N1, where drivers obeys the traffic rules because of visible policing.

If it can not be done, please provide us with a website where we can report such drivers without disclosing our own identities. If they are that reckless on the road, and the person whom they have intimidated reports them, i am quite sure they will find and attack them.

By doing so, a data basis can be build up against traffic offenders – and we wash each others hands.

Such a data basis can be used to prove that a driver does it always and that it was not in a moment of madness. It can help the police to get all their information during road blocks. It can be advertised as well that we can report such drivers without revealing our own identities.

I also think we have to make people aware of these dangerous, reckless, speeding drivers. I have reported one on your site today – CT 93 JL GP. This person seems to be aggressive and dangerous and I really do not want to meet him face to face although I was so intimidated by his dangerous overtaking that I took the time to write the report.

What we need is basic information – the number of the car should be compulsary, but the colour, make and other detailed fields should not be compulsary to be completed.

I think it would be a great idea to make the following video:

1) car passing another car, a little above the speed limit

2) one coming up at high speed from the back, until too close to the driver

3) Great – now the reckless driver has the attention of the one who is driving in front and being intimidated.

4)  BAd driver passsing on left hand side, too close to the driver he/she wants to intimidate.

5)  BAd driver braking in front of the driver wgo is not in the wrong and who did travel at the speed limit

6)  AHA- moment – BAd driver has the full attention of the alerted driver

7)  Alerted driver see the following detail as clear as crystal – make of the car, registration number, colour

8)  AHA moment – report incident via cell phone or website that needs few information

9)  Traffic police alerted in the nearest town

10) The face of the fool who ensured that all his detail could be remembered because of his own aggressive attitude towards other road users – BEHIND BARS.

11) Alcohol test being done – to proof he/she is drunk or to proof he/she knew what they did

12) The message – if you want to ignore the traffic rules, you have to ensure that you do not offend the other users of the road. Thing is – that is your way of driving, your habit. The possibility that you can have more than one report with regard to your bad driving on one piece of the road- such as the N14 between Krugersdorp and Pretoria (mornings between 05h00 and 09h00) and the other way round (evenings between 14h30 and 18h30), is quite large.

We need to teach bad drivers a lesson – the others who plan carefully, who leave their houses in time and who take the punch for being late due to their own bad time management is fed up with their aggressive use of the raods.

In fact, they are welcome to build their own roads where they can kill themselves due to their bad driving skills.

This site could be perfect for launching such a shortened version to build a data basis of bad drivers.  And it can be very handy when they want to renew their drivers licences. If a lot of people were so offended by their driving that they took the time to write a report, these bad drivers certainly need to be retrained so that they can become responsible users of our roads.”

;

;

Road user pleads for visible and effective traffic enforcement on route between Krugersdorp and Pretoria

Spectacular route launched for 2014 Cape Pioneer Trek

The tough climb to the summit of the Swartberg Pass will once again provide a spectacular stage setting for Stage 2 of the 2014 Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek.
Photo by Zoon Cronje/Nikon/Xtremedia

The route for the 2014 Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek international mountain bike stage race in South Africa has been finalised and holds some spectacular highlights for the more than 800 riders to look forward to come 12 October when the sixth edition of the race gets underway.

For the first time, the Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek will have International Cycling Union (UCI) grading status, which means an increase in prize money and the allocation of UCI rankings points to the top finishers on each stage and overall. But most of the field won’t be concerned with podium battles, but rather conquering a race route that’s varied, challenging and rewarding, which contains some exciting fresh section as well as some old favourites, covering a distance of 574km with a total vertical ascent of 11 958 metres over the 6 days.

An overview of the full 2014 Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek race

A typically African bush experience will herald the opening stage, which is a 15.3km prologue time trial at the Buffelsdrift Game Lodge just outside the Western Cape town of Oudtshoorn. Buffelsdrift is home to a variety of wildlife including 3 of the Big 5 – buffalo, rhino and elephant – sure to create a powerful impact, not only on the international racers, but the South Africans too. Riders can expect some short climbs and fast, flowing descents in the race opener, which climbs a total of 371 vertical metres.

Stage 1 from Oudtshoorn to Calitzdorp is a 100km haul with 1794 metres of climbing. The muddy conditions near the start of this stage in 2013 had a significant impact on the final overall standings in all categories. It’s not the stage where you can win the Cape Pioneer Trek, but, as was seen last year, it’s certainly a stage on which you can lose it. Riders will be relieved to know that this year there’s a different start venue – the centre of Oudtshoorn – with whole new section of trail between the first 2 water points.

The quaint Karoo town of Prince Albert at the base of the Swartberg Pass, will host the overnight stop between Stages 2 and 3 of the 2014 Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek.
Photo by Zoon Cronje/Nikon/Xtremedia

As with 2013, Stage 2 will once again take riders from Calitzdorp to the summit of the Swartberg Pass, still the only mountaintop stage finish in South African mountain bike stage racing. The iconic stage offers a total of R250 000 in prize money, to be split equally for the first men’s team and first women’s team to the summit. It’s the richest stage prize in mountain bike racing. Stage 2 is only 86km long, but at 2781 metres of ascent, a brutal challenge.

And Stage 3 from Prince Albert to De Rust, which crosses from the Great Karoo to the Klein Karoo through the dramatic Meiringspoort over a distance of 107km with 1543m of ascent, will also follow a similar route to the 2013 edition. The 10km singletrack descent through the Swartberg into Meiringspoort is one of the most talked about sections of trail from last year’s race and has been included again for 2014.

The 2014 Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek incorporates as many mountain bike-specific trails as possible to ensure the route is as rewarding as it is physically demanding.
Photo by Zoon Cronje/Nikon/Xtremedia

But Stages 4–6 bring some fresh terrain – and challenges – to the 2014 edition. Stage 4 looks like it will be decisive. With 2690m of ascent in 109km, it promises to make or break podium dreams. It could also prove the toughest test for the non-pros who are aiming to beat the daily cut-off with a bit of time to spare. The stage starts with a 25km steady drag before taking riders through the Kammanassie Mountains and over to the coastal belt area of George. The contrasts on this stage are remarkable. It shouldn’t be underestimated.

Stage 5 from George to Herold is also likely to be deceptive. In just 71km, riders will have to climb 1755 metres, initially up an 18km climb out of George to the Montagu Pass, after which riders will be taken on a new section of trails through the Klein Langkloof along the northern slopes of the Outeniqua Mountains.

The scenic climb up the famous Montagu Pass will feature in Stage 5 of the 2014 Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek.
Photo by Zoon Cronje/Nikon/Xtremedia

The final stage is being touted by the organisers as the ‘easiest in Cape Pioneer Trek history’. The riders will no doubt appreciate this last reprieve-like 86km leg from Herold to Oudtshoorn via a loop on the much-praised trails of the Chandelier Game and Ostrich Farm.

“We change the Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek route each year to ensure it stays interesting for the riders, many of whom return year after year, and that we make the most of the amazing variety of terrain we have in the region,” said Henco Rademeyer of Dryland Event Management, the organisers.

“We’re a bit limited in making any significant changes to the first half due to us getting the race to the summit of the Swartberg Pass on Stage 2, Day 3. That’s become such a significant stage and we really feel it’s important to retain it for 2014. But the second half of this year’s race definitely brings some great changes. It’s going to be tough; it’s going to be scenic; but it’s going to be worthwhile. We can’t wait!” smiled Rademeyer.

Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek 2014 route summary:
Sunday 12 October – Prologue: 15.3km, 371m ascent, Buffelspoort Game Lodge
Monday 13 October – Stage 1: 100km, 1794m ascent, Oudtshoorn–Calitzdorp
Tuesday 14 October – Stage 2: 86km, 2781m ascent, Calitzdorp–Swartberg Pass
Wednesday 15 October – Stage 3: 107km, 1543m, Prince Albert–De Rust
Thursday 16 October – Stage 4: 109km, 2690m ascent, De Rust–George
Friday 17 October – Stage 5: 71km, 1755m ascent, George–Herold
Saturday 18 October – Stage 6: 86km, 1024m Herold–Oudtshoorn

The Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek is a fully-catered mountain bike stage race, organised by Dryland Event Management.Limited entries are still available. For entry information or more details on the 2014 Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek, visit www.capepioneer.co.za

Also view:

Mountain Bike Events / Planning and the Safety of Bikers

Mountain Bike Safety and Riding on the Trail

Endurance Sports, Driver Fatigue and Road Safety

The beautiful Kammanasie Mountains will once again feature as a highlight of the 2014 Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek and will be included in Stage 4.
Photo by Zoon Cronje/Nikon/Xtremedia

Spectacular route launched for 2014 Cape Pioneer Trek

R.I.P. Magnum: 2010 Magnum “Route 66″ Restricted Edition

With its “Route 66″ operation in Spring 2009, Renault Trucks combined 2 legends: the brand flagship “King of the Road” Renault Magnum and the famous Route 66 which crosses the United States from Chicago to Los Angeles. In the autumn of the same year, at Le Mans, Renault Trucks presented a Magnum decked out in the colours of Route 66 for the duration of the 24 hour Truck Race. As a result of the public’s enthusiasm and the interest generated by this vehicle, Renault Trucks decided to launch in France a Magnum “Route 66″ restricted edition with specific exterior decoration, exclusive upholstery and superior equipment. A Magnum created to blend the excellence of Renault Trucks with the American dream.

The “Route 66″ restricted edition asserts itself as the clear option for lengthy haul
assignments. It will delight the several enthusiasts of decorated trucks and the American dream – which everything about this distinctive automobile evokes. First of all, the exterior decoration with its metal grey colour, common of American tanker trucks, the
winged Route 66 logo on the doors, the particular “Diamond Brite” aluminium rims, chrome plated radiator and air tank, and much much more. Everything in fact, to make sure that this Magnum attracts even more attention than usual on our roads! The dream goes on inside the cab, with its exclusive anthracite grey upholstery fabric and a red Route 66 logo echoing the exterior decoration. In terms of equipment, the Magnum Route 66 is fitted with the quite greatest offered to make swallowing up the miles as pleasant as achievable – even if they are French kilometres. This consists of the Optidriver+ gearbox, the Excellence Pack with a CD MP3 Bluetooth radio, below-bunk refrigerator, Multipass cab and swivelling passenger seat. On the mechanical side, the Magnum Route 66 is obtainable as a 4×2 tractor with a DXi 13 Euro 5 engine and 3 ratings for consumers to pick from: 440 hp, 480 hp or 520 hp.

A legendary truck and a legendary road… practically 20 years following its very first appearance on the marketplace, the Renault Magnum has pushed back its limits at the extremely heart of the United States on the famous Route 66. From 3 to 13 April 2009, it made its mark on history by becoming the first French truck to cover this route. All the way from Chicago (Illinois) to Los Angeles (California), it swallowed up 3,620 km of asphalt as it passed by way of the most celebrated towns in the United States, carrying 2 drivers
specially selected for this incredible challenge. Additionally, Renault Magnum has won fantastic favour among lengthy haul transporters for its onboard comfort and also its efficiency. It travels throughout Europe from north to south and has turn out to be the reference motorway car, specifically in Spain, as well as playing a main part in the process of opening up Eastern European markets. And in the US, from the fantastic industrial metropolises around the Wonderful Lakes proper via to the east coast through Las Vegas, Route 66 offered a true challenge to France’s “King of the road”.

The Old Continent and this “New Frontier” nation each use environmental requirements to control site visitors, but these regulations are, of course, different! The US 07 Requirements are just as stringent as the European Euro 5 Requirements, in a country where oil is reputed to be in abundant supply. A correspondence therefore had to be established between the 2 requirements, one thing which Renault Trucks engineers had in no way been asked to do before! Because of technological differences, the upkeep of European mechanical units meeting the Euro 4 standard was not attainable in America, since AdBlue, the additive necessary for the SCR depollution technology chosen by Renault Trucks, was not however obtainable there. To supply its vehicles with the day-to-day assistance they would need to have, Renault Trucks France had to take along a supply of the major normal components topic to put on or breakage. In the end, 3,600 km of Route 66 covered in 7
days have been no more than a stroll in the park for a automobile made to supply the exact same performance with flawless reliability for far more than 100,000 km a year.

The 3 Renault Magnums came to book their passage on a transatlantic vessel
amongst Le Havre and Baltimore. This was all about the passion of transport, specifically for drivers. Sitting proud behind the wheel of a piece of machinery that weighs more than 40 tons tends to make you 1 of a choose band of truckers from a distinct globe, with its own codes and a unifying passion for the road and trucks. Renault Trucks is there to aid its drivers on the road through its repair garage ne2rk and its help vehicles which come to drivers’ aid 24 hours a day, as effectively as in the course of Grand Prix truck racing events and via a buyer relations programme primarily based on the Truckdriver’mag magazine and website. It was in reality Truckdriver’mag that organised a draw to pick the 2 winners for this operation during the 24-hour Le Mans truck race in 2008: Eric Mortiz and Jean-Patrice Bullot. Throughout this unique adventure, they had been assisted by the brand’s demonstrators in France, driving experts who assist customers every day to get the most out of their vehicles. Aboard these 3 Magnums which crossed the 8 States of Route 66, drivers, customers and personnel, all passionate about trucks and about the Magnum, lived the most memorable journey of their lives with each other. Beside them, an whole firm, plus its distributors and repairers, followed this unprecedented adventure with emotion and pride. Through them, the whole of the French transport world rejoiced to see the French flag flying for a whilst in the land of Uncle Sam – in contrast with the heckling it at times gets at house. It was a moment of grace for Renault Trucks and the French haulage market in common, proving to the rest of the planet that it and its hauliers see a lengthy way beyond issues and national frontiers.

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R.I.P. Magnum: 2010 Magnum “Route 66″ Restricted Edition