TWO taxi drivers on Wednesday escaped death after their cars collided along the Prince Philip Highway at the junction in front of Ela Motors at Ranadi, East Honiara.
A Toyota RAV4 and Toyota Caldina were involved in the crash.
Driver of the RAV4 claimed he was driving eastward on the high lane at a higher speed when the Caldina taxi attempted to make a U-turn in front to head down west Honiara.
“I couldn’t do much, as I was traveled on 60 Kilometres per hour on the speed lane. I saw this car few distances back before the junction and thought he will wait, but sadly he turned in front which caused the collision,” the RAV4 driver said.
An eye witness told this paper both drivers confronted each other as a result driver of the Caldina taxi escaped the scene heading towards Fishing Village.
The Caldina taxi is a member of the Crowns taxi fleet in Honiara.
As a result of the incident the traffic was held up from SINU Marine Campus to Panatina Plaza.
The vehicles were taken to the Kukum Traffic Police station yesterday.
The driver of the RAV4 car said the accident is down to careless driving by the Caldina’s driver.
Meanwhile, Police last week charged 10 drivers for careless driving.
Speaking to this paper this week, Kukum Traffic Police director, Charles Hapatia stressed careless driving is an issue traffic police officers are monitoring these days.
He said since police mounted its traffic operation last week, they identified many careless driving cases.
“Road accidents experienced are results of careless driving.
“Careless driving is an offence against traffic rules,” the Traffic Director said.
Apart from careless driving, police also charged drivers and vehicle owners with the following offences; Using unlicensed vehicles and presence of alcohol in body – 12, Careless driving – 10, Driving without a driving licenses and driving under influence of liquor – 7, Driving without driver’s valid license and dangerous driving – 3, Permitting unlicensed motor vehicle – 2 ,Permitting uninsured motor vehicle – 1, Failing to comply with police directives -1 and Taxi sign displayed without license prohibition – 1.
Mr Hapatia said some of these offences indicated that drivers or vehicle owners are just “ignorant”.
“I want to say here that we are always here to monitor those things and you will not escape,” Mr Hapatia said.
By SIMON ABANA