Cape Town -
Traffic officials in Cape Town are on the hunt for a motorcyclist who caused a public uproar on Friday after he was photographed riding on to the N1 with a toddler clinging to his back.
The image was taken by a motorist on the Plattekloof on-ramp to the N1 on Thursday.
The anonymous photographer reportedly said the bike was travelling at 100km/h.
On Friday, there was concern about what law could be used to charge the motorcyclist.
The law requires a crash helmet, which both the driver and the child were wearing.
There is no age restriction.
However, a small breakthrough occurred on Friday when authorities determined that what the law did require was that the feet of a motorbike passenger needed to be on the footrests.
Provincial Traffic Chief Kenny Africa told Weekend Argus on Friday night that the passenger definitely looked younger than five, and had his or her legs wrapped around the body of the driver.
“We looked for a chance (to charge him) within the Children’s Act. There was nothing.”
Based on the position of the child’s feet, the motorcyclist can however be changed in terms of the Road Traffic Act. He could be served with a fine or even a court appearance based on the evidence.
But there’s another snag on the road to justice.
The registration number on the bike in the photograph is not registered.
“We will have to trace the first owner of the number on the bike… this number is not valid,” Africa said.
He appealed to anyone with information about the identity of the motorcyclist to call 021 946 1646.
“What the driver did is shocking. If he is not stopped, he will carry on with his bad behaviour. A young child could have lost their life,” Africa said.
Weekend Argus