Linksfield Road accident sparks calls for stricter road safety measures

A recent traffic accident raised road safety concerns and calls for traffic calming measures on Linksfield Road.

The collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian occurred on September 13 between 18:30 and 19:00.

According to former CoJ and EMPD traffic officer and accident scene reconstruction specialist, Polo Di Meo, who lives near the crash scene, the pedestrian was attempting to cross the road when the vehicle struck them. The driver then hit the property of a nearby petrol station.

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Although the incident was not fatal and there were only minor injuries reported, Di Meo believes that a deadly accident is imminent.

Earlier this year, a fatal collision claimed the life of an Edenvale High School matric learner after a crash near the school.

“Imagine if the vehicle had collided with a parked vehicle at the petrol station and a fire had started. There could have been a devastating explosion.”

With a block of flats nearby, Di Meo said the damage and devastation would have been unimaginable.
“If we don’t do something soon, there’s going to be a bigger problem.”

He said Linksfield Road had become the new Kyalami due to the development along it and the road’s expansion into five lanes.

Di Meo explained that many motorists speed while travelling between Elm Street and the Linksfield Road Bridge, and others make illegal U-turns or dangerous turns across oncoming traffic lanes to access businesses on either side

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Di Meo believes several measures could be introduced to create a safer environment. These include installing another traffic light between Elm Street and the Linksfield Road Bridge, building concrete islands between oncoming traffic lanes to prevent U-turns and dangerous turns, and erecting a pedestrian bridge.

According to Ward 19 Clr Bill Rundle, Linksfield Road was developed in the 1970s when traffic volumes and use were well below current levels. He said introducing the Gilloolys interchange worsened the problem.

“This matter has been reviewed and assessed for over 12 years, since traffic congestion first started,” said Rundle, adding that the final decision was that no speed calming measures would be implemented on this category of road.

Rundle explained that no more traffic lights could be erected on the road because they cannot be within 200m of one another.

To make Linksfield Road safer, Rundle advised strict adherence to road traffic rules and regulations, as well as greater compliance with the speed limit.

“Road users speed, cross over double white lines and stop where prohibited,” explained Rundle, who added that Linksfield Road is a class two road and part of the planned K68 provincial road, under the jurisdiction of the Gauteng Provincial Government.

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“It is a high-volume mobility road that can carry up to 100 000 vehicles daily. Speed calming and other interventions are, therefore, not allowed or supported by the planning authorities,” he said.

Rundle noted there are already three traffic intersections on the road: at Elm Street and Linksfield Road, at the off-ramp from the N3 and Dunvegan Avenue and at Linksfield Road at Edenvale High School.

“Pedestrian numbers crossing Linksfield do not justify a pedestrian bridge. There are no industrial-serving areas in Linksfield that account for large pedestrian volumes,” he said.

Entry and exit from the nearby shopping centre are controlled by traffic intersections on Elm Street and Linksfield Road to cater for pedestrians and vehicles.

All road designs and construction at the shopping centre were approved and implemented.

Rundle said all issues raised were addressed promptly by the developer and the road construction company. He added that the CoE Transport Roads and Storm Water Planning and Implementation Department approved all work and implemented all conditions of the statutory Road Impact Study.

All the required road markings are in place.

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“It is sad to say that the motorists and pedestrians in this area and in the greater Edenvale area do not comply with road traffic rules.

“It would be unreasonable to expect interventions for every misdemeanour that leads to incidents,” said Rundle.

He added that the financial cost of speed calming measures on roads of this nature is prohibitive and not affordable for any level of government.

A request for comment and information was sent to the CoE, the EMPD and ER24 on September 17, requesting responses by September 18 at 14:00.

At the time of going to print, we had received no comment.