Concerns regarding road safety on Linksfield Road between the Linksfield Road Bridge and Elm Street have been raised once again. Residents are calling for traffic calming measures along the stretch of road.

This comes after two collisions occurred on Linksfield Road at the end of February. According to Edenvale resident Polo Di Meo, motorists are making U-turns across the road, speeding, and, in some cases, stopping illegally to drop off passengers. He said it is a disaster waiting to happen.

“As far as I am aware, no between Linksfield Road Bridge and Elm Street. speed evaluation has been conducted on this road. Motorists travel between the Linksfield Road Bridge and Elm Street at excessive speeds, and pedestrians trying to cross the road are often put in danger.”

Di Meo, a former CoJ traff ic officer and current accident scene reconstruction specialist, f irst spoke out about the reckless behaviour of motorists last year when a vehicle collided with a pedestrian in September.

Although the collision was not fatal, Di Meo believes that a fatal collision will occur soon. According to him, a traff ic light needs to be installed “Not only will this slow motorist travelling on the stretch of road down, but it will also provide pedestrians with a safe place to cross Linksfield Road.”

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Besides installing a traffic light, Di Meo believes that building concrete islands between oncoming traffic lanes to prevent U-turns and dangerous turns, as well as erecting a pedestrian bridge, will make the road safer for the community. He also called for greater traffic enforcement by EMPD.

According to Ward 19 Ald Bill Rundle, Linksfield Road is a category two road, and as such, no traffic calming measures can be introduced. He explained that Linksfield Road was developed in the 1970s when traffic volumes 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 f irst started,” said Rundle.

He said the final decision was that no speed-calming measures would be implemented on this category of road. Rundle explained that no additional traffic lights could be installed because they cannot be placed within 200 m of each other.

Rundle said that the majority of the problems come down to bad behaviour exhibited by motorists.

“Motorists need to obey the rules of the road.” Rundle said he has made several proposals to the municipality, including increased signage indicating the speed limit and prohibiting U-turns, enhanced road markings, and greater law enforcement by the EMPD.

He said that as of yet, none have been implemented. “I am trying my best, but I cannot override the municipality. We are all part of a society, and as such, we need to work together and obey the rules that govern us,” said Rundle.

A request for comment was sent to the City of Ekurhurleni and EMPD on March 13, requesting comment by March 16 at 10:00. At the time of going to print, no comment was received.