An on-site meeting at the high accident zone crossing of Currie and Louis Botha Street in Levyvale, Kariega, resulted in immediate action with road marks being repainted and the removal of branches which hampered visibility.
Affected residents, Ward 51 councillor Roelf Basson and representatives of the Department of Roads and Transport visited the crossing and experienced the speeding of some road users.
“We have escalated the matter to the Department of Roads and Transport with recommendations of changing the crossing to a four-way stop, erecting traffic calming measures, and the quick win to repaint the stop sign road markings,” said Ward 51 councillor Roelf Basson.
“We also suggested the erection of a few cement bollards to add extra safety in protecting lives as well as the boundary walls. We are pleased that the Department of Roads and Transport confirmed that they have ordered and agreed to install these safety measures.”
Basson said owing to the traffic impact, and to have the crossing changed to a four way stop, legal procedures must be followed to have a proper traffic impact study done.
Marius Roach from Ward 51 office confirmed that they have accumulated evidence and correspondence about this dangerous and high accident crossing since residents started complaining about it in 2018.
Candice van Zyl, a concerned resident, said during the past few years a total of eight accidents have occurred at this crossing, at which three times vehicles crashed through their boundary wall.
“I am happy that something has at last been done. I understand that it is due process to have a traffic impact study done, but if you look back since 2018 and all the accidents that occurred here, all the photos, police records, is that no proof enough that urgent intervention is needed?” asked Van Zyl.
According to Van Zyl, drivers jump the Currie Street stop street whilst drivers speed down Louis Botha Street and then the unfortunate perfect timing happens when transgressors of traffic regulations meet by accident and crash straight through their boundary wall.
Lourens Kruger who has been living at the corner of Louis Botha and Currie Streets for nearly forty years said he had stopped counting the accidents.
“There were too many accidents, and it is happening constantly. I must say, the accidents are increasing nowadays, and the speeding is getting worse,” said Kruger.
“The worst accident was when a motorcyclist was beheaded. One would not like to see such a horrible accident happen here again.”
