Residents are up in arms regarding the dangerous and as of late, deadly intersection of JG Strydom and Springhaas roads.
“Over the four years that I have used the intersection, (and this is only twice a day, to and from work) I have noticed an increase in accident frequency,” said local resident Sumaya Moosa. Another concerned resident said, “We live on the corner and this is constant. A camera on either side to stop the idiots from jumping robots would go a long way.”
Maureen Oosthuizen added, “ I can’t tell you how many accidents I have seen over the past 12 years that I have worked around the corner. Something needs to be done.”
Frustration rose to boiling point on the morning of 27 January. A young man, aged 18, was knocked off of his motorcycle. On arrival, ER24 paramedics found his body lying on the side of the road, next to a large steel dustbin. After sessions of resuscitation, paradmedics declared the man deceased. It is understood that he had collided with a light motor vehicle.
Ward 89 Councillor Ingrid Reinten commented, “The JRA and JMPD together with the MMC of Transport need to analyse the data of all the accidents happening at dangerous intersections.”
Residents can raise issues via petition, write to the regional director of Region C and the MMC of Transport about the situation and keep asking for follow-ups.”
The problem seems to become clear on inspection of the intersection. Vehicles travelling down JG Strydom road toward Springhaas Road approach the intersection at a high speed. Motorists turning right have trouble viewing the oncoming traffic or motorists ignoring traffic lights. Albert Barnard who works across the intersection said he witnesses accidents frequently, “Something needs to be done, this is becoming a serious issue. Why did a life have to be lost – that could have been avoided.”
Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) Spokesperson Bertha Peters-Scheepers said, “The reported accident is tragic and we extend our sincere condolences to the relatives of the deceased young man.” JRA inspectors evaluated the intersection and have found that geometric upgrades are required to allow for exclusive right-turn lanes.
Peters-Scheepers added, “As only two lanes exist in each direction at present, the introduction of an exclusive right-turn phase will result in the loss of one lane in both directions, causing congestion to the straight and left-turn movements.”
As a result, a traffic count will be conducted over the next few weeks by JRA which will be conveyed to the community. Residents are asked to be patient and adhere to the rules of the road while this process is still underway.
“We have also escalated the concerns of residents to JMPD for assistance with traffic law enforcement initiatives,” added Peters-Scheepers.
Details: JRA, 086 056 2874 or Ward 89 Councillor Ingrid Reiten, 083 440 8343.
