Speed humps create traffic nightmare at Shakaskraal

The speed humps on the R102 between Shakaskraal and Umhlali are causing constant traffic issues and problems for emergency services.

Many residents have complained about the traffic jams that extend into Shakaskraal village during peak times.

“I am constantly backed up behind the circle in Shakaskraal when I make my way to work in the morning,” said Shakaskraal resident Essop Akoob.

“I work in Durban, and travel for almost an hour every morning, at least 35 minutes of which is spent waiting in these traffic jams.”

The road is a busy thoroughfare between Umhlali and KwaDukuza, and many trucks choose this route to avoid the tolls, said Akoob.

This adds to the wait time, and many cars and taxis are taking a chance by driving in the yellow line area to get past,

“We have daily problems with the taxis who overtake without worrying about other cars. Someone is going to be hurt soon,” said Juneid Dawood of Economy Supply Store in Shakaskraal.

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Although wait times may be frustrating for commuters, the bigger worry is getting emergency services into Shakaskraal village, said Dawood.

“We had an incident here last year and the ambulances took almost half an hour. It’s not their fault, there is just no room on that road to overtake safely. I do not want to think about what might happen if someone is in a life or death situation.”

The 5 speed humps were put in place in February 2020 after an overloaded taxi crashed, killing 7 people and injuring 15.

Their installation was initially welcomed.

“We understand the need for the humps, but the way they have been built means they are causing more bad than good. They must move them further apart and cut down on the number to 2 or 3,” said Dawood.

The size of speed humps are regulated by the KZN Transport Department, but the department has not replied to queries.

Regulations for traffic calming in Ethekwini Metro give a guideline that traffic humps should be no higher than 75mm or wider than 3.8m with spacing of 150m between humps.

The 5 humps outside Shakaskraal are about 115mm high, 240mm wide and spaced at an average distance of 20m.

“Something has to change, otherwise there are going to be more accidents soon,” said Akoob.