CONCERNED MOTORIST of Van Riebeeck Park writes:
Kempton EXPRESS recently highlighted new road markings along Monument Road in the vicinity of Woodbridge Square, which various residents and motorists considered either unnecessary or confusing (or both).
I too have an issue with some road markings, but elsewhere.
Also read:
• New road markings on Monument Road: The mind boggles
As one travels along Pretoria Road from Kempton Park towards and then past Birchleigh Railway Station in the direction of Vlei Street, one first of all encounters several raised traffic islands edged with black and white markings.
These give pedestrians heading to or from the station somewhere safe to stand when crossing the road and keep vehicles in their lanes.
However, earlier this year, the roads department undertook work approaching the traffic lights at the junction of Pretoria Road and Vlei Street. The single lane widens into two, so vehicles can either continue straight on (left-hand lane), or turn right into Vlei Street.
This involved making a “right-turn only” lane, with clear road markings (arrows). However, it is the approach to this right-turn lane which I consider a definite hazard.
A flat painted yellow “island” exists, not a raised one. Approaching this “island”, you are in a single lane and, if obeying road markings, keep to the left of it until entering the right-turn lane.
This is where I consider the relevant department made a big error. It should be a raised island.
Why? For the simple reason that numerous vehicles simply drive straight over the “island” in preparation for turning right. I have obeyed the rules of the road, keeping to the actual lane, but with right indicator flashing, signalling my intention of entering the right-turn lane in order to turn right – and have on numerous occasions almost been rear-ended by vehicles which have not adhered to safe driving procedures but have flagrantly driven over what is to all intents and purposes a “barrier”.
I know I am not the only motorist who has suffered both verbal and gesture abuse/threatening behaviour from those who are actually in the wrong but appear to either not know the rules of the road or choose to flagrantly disobey them.
Could consideration be given to making it a raised island, with black and white edging, as per the other traffic islands along that stretch of Pretoria Road?
Not only would motorists (and pedestrians) then have consistency, but several bumper-bashings could hopefully then be avoided.
