Improved traffic calming measures coming

Several community members called on council to improve and implement further traffic calming measures in Roberts Avenue, Kensington, to prevent accidents, injuries and deaths.

Pedestrians are constantly dodging speeding motorists while local residents driving into, and out of side roads, are at risk of being rear-ended by other impatient motorists. Motorists driving up and down Roberts Avenue refuse to stop at the Blenheim Street intersection when the traffic lights are red.

Parents and Jeppe High Preparatory School staff also say children are at risk because motorists speed through the blind rise.

Mr Roderick Marnce said, “I am on my last nerve every time my domestic worker has to fetch my children. I lecture her and my children on how to cross the road. When I pick up my children I am on guard all the time. What about those children who are not accompanied by an elder? If people want to drive into one of the side streets they literally have to take a chance and hope for the best,” he said.

Mr Shaquille Sayers, a Kensington resident, said he and his nephew (6), were almost knocked down in Roberts Avenue a few months ago.

“I picked him up from school. We waited for vehicles to drive past the intersection. We were crossing the road when a motorist neglected to stop. She managed to brake and stopped right in front of us. Pedestrians have to constantly look right and left when crossing the busy road. The green pedestrian signal at the intersection changes too quickly. Pedestrians panic because they are afraid they may be in the middle of a lane when the traffic light changes to red. Motorists also do not stop when the green pedestrian signal is on,” said Mr Sayers.

He added that another dangerous change made by the JRA recently was the merging of the double-lane main road without proper signage on approach.

“This has resulted in motorists being caught unaware. Motorists in the right and left lane merge suddenly with almost no warning. They only realise there is a change when they are literally on top of the yellow lines created to allow a right turn only. The right turn leads to the Kensington Clinic,” said Mr Sayers.

He suggested installing some traffic lights at the Roberts Avenue and Collingwood Street intersection to reduce the risks posed to people.

“This will also prevent children from walking all the way to Blenheim Street only to cross the road and walk back up. In addition, the timing of the traffic lights at the Blenheim Street and Roberts Avenue intersection has to be extended. The speed limit on Roberts Avenue should also change to 50 kilometres per hour because of the number of schools on this road. Signage should also be put up to inform motorists of the road merger,” said Mr Sayers.

Mr Marnce suggested speed humps on the blind rise, to force people to slow down, and more warning signs throughout the area.

Staff at Jeppe High Preparatory School said Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers are at the intersection outside the school regularly.

Staff said they have already suffered the loss of children and adults on this road and traffic calming measures are desperately needed. The community was gutted in 2007 after a speeding motorist on Roberts Avenue claimed the lives of a grade 1 pupil, Nkanyezi Mdluli (7) and a taxi driver, Mr Absolom Mahlangu.

Since then, there have been several other injuries and near accidents.

One staff member, who did not want her name published, said the school gate in Roberts Avenue was closed and teachers also help the children to cross the road but it is not enough.

“We need another traffic light and speed humps. Reynolds Street is also dangerous because motorists speed there as well. Speed humps are necessary,” said another staff member. Just after Nkanyezi and Mr Mahlangu died, the JRA installed a digital sign board to warn people about the speed limit and the danger.

This sign board no longer works.

Mr Sam Modiba, from the JRA, said an on-site visit was conducted on August 20.

He said the timing of the green light and the flashing green pedestrian signal affecting motorists in Blenheim Street will be increased by five seconds.

“A revised traffic signal design has been prepared and forwarded for implementation. It is envisaged that the revised traffic signal plan will be in operation by August 30.

“The installation of traffic signals can only be considered if the warrant criteria, as per the South African Road and Traffic Signs Manual, is met.

“The installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Roberts and Collingwood was previously investigated. At that time, the installation was not warranted. The warrant is based on the delay experienced by the side road traffic in trying to enter the main road. Traffic surveys will be conducted again to determine if the installation of traffic signals is warranted. Due to other survey commitments, such counts, can only be undertaken during September 2013,” he said.

Mr Modiba added that installing a traffic signal at a low-volume intersection where it is not warranted can significantly increase accidents and delays.

“The increase in delay and stops then translates into higher fuel consumption, increased travel times and higher point-source pollution. Research has shown that certain types of accidents, such as rear-end collisions, may actually increase after a signal is installed. Improperly installed, or unwarranted traffic signals can produce disobedience of the signal indications and an increase in certain types of accidents, thereby increasing the safety risk to children,” said Mr Modiba.

He said the digital sign board was vandalised and thieves stole parts of value on numerous occasions.

“We are investigating measures to reduce the vandalism and theft and once we have a sustainable solution, the digital message board will be fixed and made operational.

“There is a sign board and markings on-site, informing motorists regarding the lane change. An additional sign and road markings will be installed. The alterations in road markings were done on request from the clinic to accommodate the vehicles turning into the clinic, as a result of accidents occurring due to the blind rise,” said Mr Modiba.

He said the speed limit cannot be reduced and speed humps cannot be installed because Roberts Avenue is considered a high order class 3 road dual carriage way.

“A centre line can be installed and existing road markings in Reynolds Street can be repainted. Due to the geometric design of the road, it is not recommended to install speed humps as it will not meet the minimum sight distance requirements for speed humps,” said Mr Modiba.