Traffic authorities unable to see danger on roads
Your need for speed is outweighed by far by my right to safety.
My heartfelt condolences go to the family of the late Vivian Buqwana who was the latest victim of an uncaring municipality.
It looks as if the traffic authorities have a blind spot when it comes to traffic calming measures for I have yet to hear of a clear and convincing reason as to why properly designed speed bumps should not be built on a much wider basis than is the case at present.
The spurious objections normally raised are speed bumps lead to increased noise levels, they cause damage to the suspensions of vehicles, especially buses, they encourage “rat-running” whereby motorists use subsidiary streets so as to avoid the bumps and that the targeted roads are categorised as “collectors” or whatever the current technical terminology may be, as if that somehow makes the road in question sacro sanct.
At a public meeting which I attended a road engineer actually stated that a car travelling at a speed as low as 28km/h could kill a child. The fact that a motorist travelling at reduced speed would have a better reaction time so as to actually avoid a child seemed to pass right by him.
Then, of course, there are those who will argue modern vehicle design has resulted in cars being a lot safer than in the old days. Granted. But that has to be offset by the twists and turns, limited visibility and potholes and pedestrians in and on suburban roads. Your need for speed is outweighed by far by my right to safety.
The fact of the matter is a lot can be done to improve road safety. Speed bumps can be, and have been designed so as to be crossed very comfortably at 40km/h, but not at speeds above that. They can be installed just before bus stops so buses will already have slowed down. Speed bumps can be supplemented by flashing lights and warning signs which can be rotated or renewed on a regular basis so as not to become “invisible” to road users. Multiple speed cameras will do wonders. It is all a matter of political will – or as we have it at present, the lack thereof.
The crosses people have put up along our roads serve as poignant reminders of lives needlessly lost. I propose a substantial and permanent monument be established for this purpose. The vacant municipal servitude on the north-western corner of the intersection of Columbine Avenue and Ormonde Drive seems ideal.
In the meantime I will continue to drive at 60km/h in the right hand lane of Boundary Road and Columbine Avenue, ignoring the flashing lights behind me, and I encourage other motorists to do the same.
René de Villiers
Read:
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