Looking at the many car accidents in SA, mostly involving public transport vehicles, reckless and negligent driving is the major cause.

I think that both the drivers and passengers should share the blame.

I have seen many public transport vehicles overloaded and nobody seems to care. As a paying passenger, you have the right to question any violation of road rules.

You are within your rights to challenge the driver and explain your discomfort, instead of putting your life at risk. Sometimes passengers encourage the drivers to bend the rules just so they can get to work on time.

In rural areas in particular, one can wait for hours for public transport, and when one finally shows up, it is overloaded.

This behaviour is also common with scholar transport, where learners are crammed in small vehicles by selfish drivers and parents don't say a word.

It is time commuters are educated about consumer rights so that they do not submit to the selfish demands of drivers. Taxi owners must also take responsibility for their drivers' irresponsible behaviour as this comes back to haunt them.

Commuters should stand up for their rights and be free to tell the driver to reduce the speed.

This is the only way these accidents can be averted and many lives saved.

Malphia Honwane

Gottenburg eManyeleti