TRAFFIC calming measures installed to slow down vehicles near Port Natal School once again failed to stop a motorist who ended up crashing into the school fence recently.

The accident, which was not the first to have shaken Port Natal School in recent years, happened near the boarding quarters of the school in Umbilo in March. The accident has prompted Port Natal School and the school governing body chairperson, Liezl Slabbert, to call for crash barriers to be installed near the school’s property line on Selborne Road and Sphiwe Zuma Avenue.

“This is not the first accident and it certainly will not be the last if this is not resolved by the City,” said Slabbert. “Something needs to be done to prevent the speeding around this circle because it is a huge problem and a safety concern for the school and residents.”
In the recent accident, the car stopped before it could cause serious damage. In a previous incident, however, the school hostel was hit by a runaway vehicle.

Also Read: Motorist crashes into Umbilo school wall

Ward 33 Councillor, Fran Kristopher, said last year’s accident resulted in the car ending up in the building that houses boarders and staff.
“I have been liaising with the eThekwini Transport Authority about having barriers installed but was informed of a six to eight weeks wait for assessment before a response could be provided,” said Kristopher.

“The safety of our learners is of utmost importance and this is a major concern as the boarding lodges of the school are right on the boundary wall. Prevention is always better than cure – and I am pleading with the authorities to hear our cries. I would hate for a tragedy to occur before anything gets done about it. This is tragedy enough that the school’s security line has been breached. Stricter measures on speedsters and drunken drivers should be Metro Police and law enforcement’s top priority, and those caught should get jail time as clearly fines are not preventing incidents such as these from reoccurring.”

In response to the request for safety barriers, eThekwini Municipality spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said, “The installation of a crash barrier does not meet the required road warrants. However, signage will be installed within the next one to three months to highlight the road geometry. Traffic calming measures have already been implemented on Dirk Uys Street and Selborne Road outside the school, and the need for similar measures on Sphiwe Zuma Avenue will be assessed.”

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