Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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We were recently approached by a client who had an accident who told us that somebody else skipped through a red robot and collided with him. His version was that he was driving a Nissan bakkie along Nelson Mandela Drive and a Toyota Corolla, going along Francis Baard Street, went through a red robot.
Our prospective new client was very emphatic about it, but what he probably did not know that many of these intersections now have video cameras and when we went to the Traffic Department to see what they had, we discovered that our potential new client’s version was in fact a complete lie. He had driven straight through a red robot into the Toyota Corolla for whom the traffic light was green. More and more situations like this do arise, and it is surprising that people are still so happy to try and tell a blatant lie and see if they can get away with it when they are driving through intersections which do have video cameras on them!
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Wednesday 12-Sep-18
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Comments
Jadine Richards said:
on Wednesday 24-Oct-18 09:12 AM
I wouldn't be able to lie about something like this. I would be so wrecked with fear for the duration of my lie and probably for a long time thereafter. I cant imagine that it would be worth it at all.
Liz said:
on Thursday 18-Oct-18 08:35 AM
Cameras should be installed at every intersection. It would be so much easier to determine how accidents happened, prosecute criminals and so much more. Attorneys would also not be faced with clients who tell lies for their own benefit and would be able to investigate the merits of every matter much more thoroughly.
candice said:
on Wednesday 17-Oct-18 04:50 PM
Dash cams are insane,and we need Cameras everywhere in this country so there will be less crime and less people telling lies trying to take advantage of the system just to try and get money out of the situation. It will def help the police department out alot and maybe we South Africans can feel like we can get justice when a crime has been committed
Jolene said:
on Friday 12-Oct-18 03:40 PM
All big intersections should have cameras. It is ridiculous that someone can lie so bluntly and think they will get away with it. I also see more and more people with dash cams.
Tamaryn said:
on Friday 12-Oct-18 11:22 AM
The more cameras at intersections the better. It's a great investigative tool for motor vehicle collisions and crime. We are now in the times of dash cams and surveillance with very little room to hide from the truth.
Shristi said:
on Monday 08-Oct-18 08:38 PM
It is shocking how people will lie for their own benefit..I believe that cameras should be put at all intersections. This will be beneficial not only in instances like this but also when police officials, for example,are carrying out investigations and are looking for evidence to assist them in their investigations.
Henrietta said:
on Monday 08-Oct-18 10:29 AM
How embarrassing to be caught lying so bluntly and being the culprit who skipped the light and put everyone else in danger. Unbelievable. I hoped he got one big fine for skipping the light and would think twice in the future, but then again i doubt it. He tried to make it as if it was the other person's fault.
sarah said:
on Monday 01-Oct-18 07:05 AM
Its good to have this type of evidence , some people will try and take chances. They should maintain more of these cameras etc . It will help the police a lot
Joyce said:
on Friday 28-Sep-18 04:57 PM
I think with more of this technology there would be less hit and run cases
Zindy said:
on Friday 28-Sep-18 07:55 AM
I also agree that cameras should be put up at intersections. It would indeed help with crime and help investigate these sorts of situations. If the cameras can be maintained of course and monitored. The police would be able to complete more accurate detailed reports based on such footage.
Sinead said:
on Thursday 27-Sep-18 11:49 AM
I too have seen many trying their luck when in fact they are solely the cause of the accident. I am not referring to accidental incidents (if that makes sense), but rather like the example in your blog, skipping traffic lights or stop streets and causing the accidents.
The truth will out! Lying will never get you anywhere...
They should add cameras to every intersection, I think. It would also help with criminal offences
Nicolle said:
on Wednesday 26-Sep-18 11:00 AM
There will always be "opportunists" who will try to take advantage of the system. It's honestly unfortunate. Not that this would matter if RABS is legislated. That being said, I am aware of a matter, where a pedestrian was walking along the pavement, when a motor vehicle lost control and collided with him. The RAF made an offer of 90/10, luckily for for the pedestrian there is CCTV footage of the accident. In the footage you see a pedestrian walking on the pavement (which is elevated) and walking towards the same direction as the traffic flow, in other words, with his back to oncoming traffic. You see the motor vehicle loosing complete control on the road and then onto the pavement hitting the poor pedestrian. He was flung meters in the air and landed in a field. Needless to say, any form of apportionment is unacceptable. At the end of the day camera footage is a great resource.
Ashleigh said:
on Tuesday 25-Sep-18 08:39 AM
Its good that there are these sort of things for evidence and people's claims are justified. There will be a lot of people who will try take chances especially when it comes to moola (money). Camera's should be put up on every corner on every block for these sort of things as well as crimes.
Michelle D said:
on Tuesday 18-Sep-18 08:28 AM
It's fantastic that some of the cameras by intersections actually work and aren't just there for show. It's also quite shocking to see how people will lie to try and swindle the system
Mathilda Du Preez said:
on Monday 17-Sep-18 03:00 PM
I also agree that every intersection should have cameras.
"High risk" Hijacking zones should have that security people standing there like they do at Mooi Street they are there 24 hours from Monday to Friday and I have not heard of one hijacking since they have been there.
Michelle said:
on Monday 17-Sep-18 12:17 PM
I'm not surprised anymore, by the length and type of lies people will tell to fit for their benefit. It is very sad that we are at a point of life where people lie 90% of the time and they just think it’s acceptable. Thank goodness for video footage, especially on the roads. This will avoid so many crime from happening as well.
Daniella said:
on Monday 17-Sep-18 11:07 AM
I think that all intersections should have cameras- not only should it reduce hijackings its also a good way of ending a he said she said situation. I agree with David regarding dash cams i think they are a really good investment.
Dune said:
on Monday 17-Sep-18 08:36 AM
And these type of people are more than happy to lie to make a quick buck. Its ridiculous that they would actually believe that they would get away with such lies, I am happy that we took the extra step to ensure the validity of the claim before taking it on.
courtney said:
on Thursday 13-Sep-18 10:09 AM
Nowadays you cant trust anyone, I wish they can put cameras everywhere. Nothing worse then someone telling lies. That's one thing that I cant stand!
Angelique Jurgens said:
on Thursday 13-Sep-18 09:27 AM
What is even more annoying is if there aren't any camera's & no witnesses and people lie. I love the idea of camera's especially when people cause accidents and flee the scene!!
Victoria said:
on Thursday 13-Sep-18 08:35 AM
There are cameras everywhere nowadays, people can not get away with the wrong they do anymore because there is always a camera somewhere. Everyone has cellphones to and will record if something happens.
Helen said:
on Thursday 13-Sep-18 07:22 AM
It is amazing how people can lie about the accident, to proof themselves innocent and still try to claim! I also find this blog very interesting to read, and I do hope the latest technology can help our country to set up more strict rules and system which you can not fool!
Megan said:
on Wednesday 12-Sep-18 04:58 PM
I definitely think its great that all these cameras exist for this exact reason, too many people get away with crimes they claim are "petty" like skipping a robot when in fact it could result in fatal consequences.
Lucretia said:
on Wednesday 12-Sep-18 12:42 PM
Very interesting read. I am in agreement with all these cameras all over the place. I know that crime dropped in Cape Town when the cameras went up in the city. Would be a blessing to have same in Gauteng. I have, also, noticed that more and more streets in our area are having cameras put up at the entrance and exits of all the streets. Maybe they should get a "black" box put in cars that can record information so in an accident, they can pick up if you were speeding, stopped, etc. Just a thought.............
Fikile said:
on Wednesday 12-Sep-18 10:12 AM
I see it as a good thing that the are cameras in the streets, it will help a lot of people especially law firms that are helping people with their claims for Road Accident Fund, even if they lie it will be easier to find out, like this one who lied only to find out that he was the one at fault
Bianca N said:
on Wednesday 12-Sep-18 09:29 AM
It is so disappointing that people do this to get money while the innocent party is the one who should be compensated. Luckily in this day and age we have cameras practically everywhere that can help prevent these kinds of people from getting away with acts like this.
Alexis said:
on Wednesday 12-Sep-18 09:04 AM
It is quite a shame actually at how people lie to get what they want, when it is the innocent party whom suffers - I can imagine that a lot of RAF claims are similar, though majority will not be proven as not all intersections have cameras
Nikita said:
on Wednesday 12-Sep-18 08:58 AM
I am sure that there are many fraudulent claims that get processed through the RAF system because not enough due diligence is done with their investigations and assessors reports. I think that these intersection cameras will assist them greatly in kicking out these fraudulent claims and hopefully they will be proactive in using them to their advantage. Dash cams are also becoming more and more popular and the things that you see on Facebook that people post from their dashcam footage is insane!
Jessica said:
on Wednesday 12-Sep-18 08:05 AM
Crazy to see how people have no moral compass and are willing to de-fraud the system. Just shows that we have to be on our toes when we are assessing possible new clients and take their version at face value, how ever heart breaking it may appear to be.
In saying that however, truly remarkable to see that we have FULLY FUNCTIONAL cameras at certain intersections. Its all well and good that we have the facilities, but more often than not they do not work or they are stolen and vandalised.
brumilde said:
on Wednesday 12-Sep-18 07:59 AM
I am shocked that people think they would get away with it. Its good that there are cameras and im sure not just attorneys but other companies like insurance companies will also be looking at this
patrick said:
on Wednesday 12-Sep-18 07:51 AM
I have indicated in previous articles that technology is taking over more and more. If we did not do a through job, we would be seating with a fraudulent claim, because of the cameras we now know who really deserves to put a claim.
david said:
on Wednesday 12-Sep-18 07:03 AM
a friend of mine was telling me recently about his dash cam - again, no disputing video footage. He says one of the other benefits is that as soon as the metro police see that he has one, they just wave him past - no attempt at soliciting a bribe.
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
