Tuesday, December 31, 2013

SPEED KILLS!!!!


This is not local but maybe people will slow down after seeing
this.
There are several things I detest that people do when they get behind the wheel of vehicle. They are (in no particular order) : using a mobile/cellphone whilst driving (and not using a hands-free kit); drinking and driving; and speeding. In the past two weeks three local South African celebreties were caught and arrested for speeding......and two in one night! Talk about "killing two birds with one stone"........ Julius Malema was arrested on a Thursday evening somewhere near Jhburg for driving 215 km/h in a 120 km/h zone. It was reported that the vehicle he was driving was not his. He was granted R5,000 bail. Later the same evening in Bronkhorstspruit, Steve Hofmeyer (Afrikaans singer) was arrested for driving 169 km/h in an 80km/h zone. He only got R500 bail (I wonder why). And then on Sunday, singer Donald Moatshe was arrested outside Ballito on the KZN North Coast for driving 182 km/h in a 120km/h zone. Donald got R2,500 bail. Strangely the journalist reporting about Donald gives a description of the car he was a driving........ a silver Audi Q3. What were Steve and Julius driving at the time? Malema's car must have had a powerful engine to travel at 215km/h in a 120 km/h zone. And the bail they each recieved? How come Hofmeyer only got R500 bail? Travelling over the speed limit is a very serious crime to me. What happens if you kill your passengers? Or worse yet.........hit an innocent pedestrian? The courts are far too lenient with bail. Driver's licences should be revoked as rules of the road have been broken. Driver's arrested should end up doing hard labour or community service. How about a month in jail? That should cure. Below are the lyrics to a song "Speed Kills" by 70's rock band Ten Years After. It's about someone who speeds to the level crossing to get there before the train. Sadly he doesn't make it.......

Get on the ball boys
Let' catch that train and get on

Run your Chevy down the highway, doing 95
Got his V-8 engine buzzing like a hive
Gotta catch that mail train, just to stay alive

Well, he wrote his baby a letter when he was in pain
Well, he told his little baby, "Don't wanna see you again"
Well, he's gotta drop that letter, gotta catch that train

Gotta beat it to the crossing before he gets to town
Got to keep that whistle humming, keep it to the ground
Gotta catch that mail train, gotta flag it down, roll on boy

Well, he's squealing around the bend, tracks are getting near
Well, the roaring of the engine, passing in his ear
Hurry, he ain't gonna make it


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