Erected billboard on high-accident Fourways road is a deadly combo, says councillor
The Ward 93 councillor Vino Reddy is begging the city's outdoor advertising department to reconsider the billboard size to save lives on the roads.
Councillor Vino Reddy of Ward 93 has raised concerns over a potential disaster waiting to happen at the already accident-prone intersection of Main and Witkoppen roads near the Clay Oven Informal Settlement in Fourways.
The recent installation of a massive billboard at this notorious accident hotspot has sparked serious safety concerns. Reddy warns that this new addition is a ‘recipe for disaster,’ exacerbating existing hazards such as faulty traffic lights and inadequate street lighting.
“As night falls, the billboard’s intense glow will become a menace, threatening to blind motorists and turn an already treacherous road into a death trap,” Reddy warned.
Also read: Ward 93 Councillor Vino Reddy drives petitions against Eskom’s terrific increase and JW’s dry taps
Despite his concerns, Reddy revealed that inquiries to the city’s outdoor advertising department confirmed that the billboard had been erected legally, sparking fears that loopholes in regulations were putting lives at risk.
“I would like implore the city to relook at the permissions for this billboard. The simple reason is that we want to prevent potential accidents and loss of life.
@caxtonjoburgnorth Cllr Vino Reddy has raised concern about a large billboards placement at a notorious accident hotspot. Reddy says the billboard’s blindingly bright light is a disaster waiting to happen. #Fourways #clayoven #sama28 ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North
“We know that the billboard is legal, but given its big size, I don’t think we anticipated that it would be this massive… That is why I am asking the city’s outdoor advertising department to please look at this and reconsider.”
Reddy suggested that reducing the billboard’s size by just one panel on either side would help mitigate its impact.
Also read: Clay Oven informal settlement residents won’t move until Government gives them somewhere to go
“Electronic billboards like the one on Rivonia Road emit intensely bright lights that can startle and shock drivers. This is particularly hazardous at intersections where traffic converges or diverges, as the sudden glare can catch motorists off guard. As leaders, we must protect residents from potential dangers like this.”
The city’s outdoor advertising department had not responded to the publication’s queries by the time of going to press.
Follow us on our Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok pages. Join our WhatsApp group for any story ideas you may have.
