Cape Town – A new wave of reckless behaviour has swept through Cape Town, with daredevils taking the concept of "bus surfing" to a whole new level – literally. Videos have emerged online, causing a stir and sending shivers down the spines of authorities, showing individuals hiding underneath moving Golden Arrow buses, clinging to the undercarriage for a free ride.
One video, captured by a motorist and widely circulated on social media, shows a man, seemingly unfazed by the danger, sitting comfortably underneath a moving bus, occasionally peering his head out to survey the scene. As the bus stops at an intersection, the man nonchalantly climbs out from his precarious perch, seemingly unscathed.
Another video, shared on TikTok and garnering over 12 000 likes and 6000 shares, depicts a man in black clothing falling out from under a bus, quickly scrambling to his feet and disappearing into the shadows. The sheer audacity of these individuals, risking their lives for a free ride, has sparked a mixture of amusement and outrage amongst social media users.
"Spider-Man is not fictional," quipped one TikTok user, while others expressed their concerns about the potential for a tragic accident. "This is madness," commented another user. "What if the bus brakes suddenly? They'd be crushed."
The Daily Voice reached out to Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) for comment, but the company has remained tight-lipped about the videos. However, the reckless disregard for safety displayed by these individuals has not gone unnoticed by authorities.
Western Cape Mobility, head of communication, Muneera Allie, expressed her alarm at the trend, highlighting the danger posed not only to the individuals involved but also to other road users. "Despite our consistent warnings and safety measures, we continue to record fatalities on Western Cape roads every week," she said.
Allie's statement serves as a stark reminder of the tragic consequences of reckless driving and the importance of road safety. The videos of "bus surfing" are a chilling testament to the growing disregard for safety on our roads.
"We implore everyone to be mindful of their actions on the road and to always prioritise safety above convenience or thrill-seeking," Allie urged. "This is not a game. Lives are at stake."
The trend of "bus surfing" is not only a threat to the safety of those involved but also a drain on resources. Emergency services are often called to deal with accidents involving reckless drivers, diverting resources from other critical services. The cost of these accidents, both financial and human, is a heavy burden on society.
The emergence of this dangerous trend highlights the need for a multi-pronged approach to addressing reckless behaviour on our roads. This includes increased awareness campaigns, stricter enforcement of traffic laws, and a greater emphasis on road safety education.
