On Wednesday I had the opportunity to drive from Cape Town to Langebaan, sharing the roads with some rather heavy loads. Even though this was without incident I was rather intrigued by the different manner in which the traffic officials exported these heavy loads and decided to raise this with the Traffic Authorities in the Western Cape:
Question:
Is there a prescribed manner in which traffic officers are to escort heavy loads?
Earlier today I passed several heavy loads along the West Coast road. Most of these were escorted in the manner of a traffic officers to the left side of the road . [first image]
In the last instance the traffic official was driving in the middle of the road , gesturing to me to pass on his left side….
Kind regards
Johan
Response:
I was pleasantly surprised to receive a speedy response with some interesting information:
Wind Farm Provincial Traffic Escort :Atlantis to Drie Susters
The reply below received from the acting Traffic Chief Provincial Traffic Vredenburg have reference regarding the enquiry from a member of the public. The project coordinator have briefed all the Traffic Officers participating in the escort of the abnormal vehicles in escorting prescripts and protocols.
Safety is the most important aspect for the Abnormal Loads and the other road users. The safe, free flow of traffic and not to delay the travelling public unnecessary during the performance of escorting of Abnormal Loads by Traffic Officers is the priority.
The officer that deviated from the protocols have been reprimanded and we trust that officers must comply with the protocols and prescripts.
We appreciate the concern of the member of the public and wish to convey our gratitude for bringing this important matter to our attention.
Desmond E Hufkie
Deputy Director N1/ West Coast
Directorate Traffic Law Enforcement
[A word of acknowledgement to the officers assisting all road users when sharing the roads with these heavy vehicles!]