Driver knocks pointsman over, drives off

Video

KNYSNA NEWS & VIDEO - A case of reckless driving has been opened after well-known Knysna traffic controller Ernest Nqoko – fondly known as Smiley – was run over by a car on the N2-George Rex Drive intersection last week.

The incident took place on Thursday 19 October at about 07:30, and Smiley sustained injuries to his leg, but was he fortunately not seriously injured.

Smiley has been a pointsman (traffic controller) in Knysna for 10 years, usually stationed at the George Rex Drive intersection with the N2, and is famous for managing traffic always with a smile on his face and his signature moves.

This is now the third time that Smiley has been bumped by a car, and all three times he has been hit by locals and not tourists or visitors.

"You'd expect tourists to make such mistakes," he said, "but not locals who know what is expected of them. I understand some people are not patient, but there are road rules which govern traffic and we motorists should all know that."

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This latest incident has shaken Smiley, who says, "You can't go through this three times and remain the same."

The familiar sight of Ernest Ngoko, fondly known as Smiley, at his usual spot at the George Rex Drive intersection of the N2.

Driver in a rush
In the latest incident he said he stopped the driver of the vehicle (with his hand signs) while directing traffic, but the impatient driver kept pointing at his watch indicating that he was in a hurry, and before he knew it Smiley was on the ground and the driver kept going.

"He drove on without stopping and that is the worst part, ut I take comfort in the fact that motorists who were on the scene were very supportive. They went after him when they saw he wasn't stopping.

"The driver then walked back [when he was stopped] and asked what I was doing in the middle of the road and I told him I was doing my job. His question outraged the motorists and they wanted to grab him."

Smiley said such incidents make his job difficult.

"I love my job which I've been doing this for a decade – that's how much I love it – but such incidents change you. Sometimes when I stand there the memories of all three incidents come rushing back, all at once."

Knysna municipality was asked for a comment and municipality manager Kam Chetty said, "Our point duty officers do a great job assisting the flow of traffic and I urge motorists to drive cautiously and abide by all rules of the road to ensure the safety of our traffic officials."