Residents call for humps to slow down speedsters

GLENWOOD residents are urged to voice their concerns over the failure of motorists to stop at the intersection of Brand and Cromwell Roads.

Local resident, Tony Ball, says the problem of motorists not stopping at the four-way stop street, has worsened even during the day.

“Countless motorists are not even trying to slow down. This is a highly dangerous spot. I suggested two speedhumps on the intersection which should solve the problem. All the people I have spoken to are willing to sign a letter motivating speed humps as they are very concerned that traffic rules are completely disregarded,” he said.

He said a few speedhumps could do the job that no amount of policing could solve, as they would force drivers to slow down.

“I use the road to the beach in Ballito past Simbithi as an example. It works wonderfully 24-hours a day. I cannot emphasise enough how the stop sign is ignored by cars travelling south/north along Brand Road, crossing Cromwell Road. Speed bumps in line with the stop sign, right across the road, would be a permanent cost-effective solution. Residents in the area and businesses are very agreeable to the idea as they are also concerned about motorists ignoring the stop signs. There can be no grounds for objection as a speed hump taken at less than 10kms an hour is not damaging to any car,” said Ball.

He said there was a growing tendency for lawlessness on the road with motorists displaying an arrogant attitude, particularly the “young ‘wannabee racing drivers’ in noisy but not always fast cars.”

“I cannot see any reason why this cannot be implemented soon and I trust that an inspection will be carried out. On Friday night I was patrolling in Kildare Road, a narrow road linking Chelmsford and Cato, and hey presto it has two speedhumps, in a Mickey Mouse little road like that!” he said.

Ward councillor, Nicole Graham, said this issue had been taken up before.

“The officials found that in terms of the prioritisation for funding, the intersection did not qualify for traffic calming. This is due to there being a low number of recorded incidents there, and the limited budget that the city has. I have referred it back to officials at the request of Mr Ball to see if that has changed or if funding is available,” she said.

Carlos Esteves, deputy head of the Road System Management, eThekwini Transport Authority, said: “Speed humps are installed based on a set of criteria that council approves and we are not in a position to deviate from it. The use of speed humps to attempt to enforce stop streets is not endorsed by the policy nor is it favoured. Metro Police should be enforcing such violations to inculcate a compliance attitude with motorists.”