Concerns over safety at the Cedar Road intersection near Steyn City School have intensified after authorities confirmed a pattern of accidents along the corridor, while residents continue to blame poor traffic light sequencing and increasing traffic volumes for dangerous conditions.

The latest developments follow months of complaints from parents, residents, and local leaders who have repeatedly raised concerns about accidents, congestion, and reckless driving near the school.

The issue first gained attention after several serious incidents were reported at intersections along Cedar Road, including collisions involving motorists, cyclists, and minibus taxis.

Read more: Crash crisis on Cedar Road sparks urgent safety probe

In January, concerned residents, parents, representatives from Steyn City School, and Ward 106 councillor Rufas Maswazi conducted an on-site inspection of the intersection.

Following the visit, Maswazi identified poor traffic light programming and illegal driving behaviour as major contributors to the problem.

Superintendent Xolani Fihla, spokesperson for JMPD, confirmed that the department’s fatal accident register reflects multiple incidents along the Cedar Road corridor, including at the intersections of Spencer Street, Frederick Street, and Steyn Road.

“Our records indicate a pattern of head-rear collisions and jaywalking pedestrian incidents in this precinct. This clearly shows that the school intersection area is a recurring site for these types of accidents.”

Fihla explained that while JMPD maintains accident registers for enforcement and monitoring purposes, formal traffic engineering assessments fall under the responsibility of the Johannesburg Roads Agency and provincial authorities.

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Lesiba Mpya, spokesperson for the MEC at the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport, said traffic signal timing and programming are conducted according to the South African road traffic sign manual.

“Traffic counts are conducted at the intersection, including vehicle and pedestrian traffic, and in some cases, bicycles.

“Thereafter, traffic signal plans are designed according to traffic volumes on each approach. An approach with higher traffic volumes will therefore be allocated more green time.”

Mpya confirmed that the department recently appointed service providers for traffic signal repairs and that the intersection of Cedar and Riverside roads forms part of the identified sites requiring attention.

He further revealed that Steyn City appointed Techworld Consulting Engineers to conduct studies at the intersection.

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“The investigations will focus on identifying the cause of the accidents occurring at the intersection, and the findings will be shared with all relevant stakeholders.”

Steven Louw, the CEO of Steyn City Properties, said, “Given the ongoing concerns around this intersection and key arterial route, Steyn City Properties felt it was important to contribute constructively to the matter.

The safety and efficiency of Cedar Road are matters of concern not only for Steyn City’s residents, but also for the many Steyn City School families who use this specific intersection and commuters who use this major route daily.

“As a stakeholder in the area, Steyn City Properties is committed to playing its part in assisting authorities with credible data and practical recommendations that can help inform future interventions.”

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