I refer to the most recent write up on the situation as outlined by EMPD Chief Superintendent Wilfred Kgasago.
Relating the number of speedsters trapped on any given day and at which speeds they were travelling does not offer any solution to the problems, it only tells of a good source for funds.
One can only speculate on how serious the council is on the calming and ability to reduce traffic speed on this road.
Not sure what investigations traffic signal warrants imply, were they undertaken randomly or at what times during the day and for what period of time.
Many a time up to four mini bus taxis are lined up to cross from Main Road into Terrace Road and, in some cases, chances are taken in the face of oncoming traffic with close misses resultant. As a pedestrian, one takes a chance any time in crossing the road during busy hours.
The traffic needs to be slowed and calmed on this road, not used as a source for funds, and we do not accept the statement as factual that no real options are currently available to address the concerns.
One must also wonder, as another reader in the Speakers Forum columns writes, are funds being diverted to fulfil a dream to build Africa’s first Aerotropolis.
We await the final decision on the action to be taken on this extremely urgent matter.
COMMENT – Spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department, Chief Superintendent Wilfred Kgasago, commented as follows:
Firstly, the complainant is leveling unfair accusations at the EMPD by saying we conduct speed enforcement to generate funds.
EMPD is not a profit making organisation and it will never be. Our priority is to vie for safety for all road users.
Seemingly, the complainant has a short memory, as all and sundry decided that the approach to Terrace Road challenge will be multi- pronged and tackled from all sides.
Recommendations were submitted with roads and civil works as well as city engineers, the erection of traffic-calming measures is not EMPD’s competency, as to the perspective of law enforcement in this regard.
The tender process is being expedited so that portable speed equipment can be used in conjunction with permanent cameras.
In the interim, EMPD conducts speed enforcement and general law enforcement for moving offences to demonstrate its seriousness in an endeavor to alleviate problems on Terrace Road.
That we happen to be not present when an offence is committed does not mean necessarily we are not doing our work.
Basic mathematics and common sense should indicate that officers cannot be everywhere at all times as road users, especially those who commit offences, are numerically far superior than law enforcers.
We over and above what we are authorised to do rely on co-operation from road users to have a safer road environment.
If any measures will be affected on Terrace Road, it will not be an overnight thing as surveys have to be conducted and budgets need to be prepared, among other things.
The complainant must also take cognisance of the fact that we do not deploy officers at our own whim but do so based on statistics and information to target problematic places.
Furthermore, the complainant must understand that certain roads may not have circles or humps because of the way they are classed to avoid a domino-effect traffic snarl-up, due to the volumes these roads carry.
While ways and means of ensuring a safe road environment in Terrace Road are being crafted, we urge road users to behave responsibly and abide by the rules of the road.
In the meantime, EMPD shall have no mercy to anyone transgressing the rules of the road.
