South African motorists are advised to be vigilant on their travels through Gauteng, as there has been a substantial increase in reported incidents of spike traps being deployed by criminals.
While these attempts can occur at any time of the day, they are more likely to appear after dark, as the culprits typically rely on the darkness to obscure the hazards to unsuspecting motorists until it is too late for them to brake or avoid the spikes.
The criminals’ intention is to pop the tyres or otherwise damage a vehicle so that the driver is forced to pull over and assess the situation, whereupon they are robbed of their possessions.
Hotspot areas
The following areas have been identified as hotspots for Gauteng’s criminal spike gangs, according to The South African:
- R562 in Olifantsfontein
- N12 in Witbank, under the Merridale bridge
- N12 between Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom
- N3 between Leondale and Barry Marais Road
- N17 between Rondebult and Heidelberg Road
- R21 inbound towards OR Tambo International Airport
It has also been noted that spiking cases tend to rise over the weekend on quiet stretches of road, as this increases the odds of the criminals catching a lone vehicle unawares.
If you are caught in a situation where your vehicle has been spiked, it is highly advised that you do not stop but rather drive slowly to the nearest service garage or a highly-populated area while contacting the police.
However, this may not always be possible, depending on the level of damage the car has sustained, in which case you are advised to remain in the vehicle with the doors locked while calling for assistance, and not allow anyone to tow your vehicle without written permission.
If you are stopped by a traffic officer, demand to see their appointment certificate to verify if they are in fact employed by the Traffic Department. If they fail to produce such a document, you should take down the registration of their vehicle and report it to the nearest police station.
Keyword: Criminals putting spikes in the road in Gauteng – Here are the hotspots