RECKLESS driving, motorists speeding through red lights and drivers using a turning lane to get ahead of others waiting in line were just some of the concerns raised by residents which the uMhlanga Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association (URRA) hope to present to eThekwini Municipality mayor Cyril Xaba.

The area in question related to Umhlanga Rocks Drive, going towards the village, especially at the intersection of Westridge Road and Guildford Avenue.

Residents of the nearby Umhlanga Manors said they see multiple traffic rule violations daily, especially during peak hour traffic.

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They are calling for Metro Police to enforce the law at the intersection and urging the City to get the speed camera near the intersection operational again in order to prosecute offenders.

Richard Edwards, the chairman of Umhlanga Manors Homeowners Forum, said he had raised the issue on various forums, including public meetings with ward councillors as well as the eThekwini Traffic Authority (ETA).

“Residents have to have their heads on a swivel whenever they are driving through this intersection. It is not just one thing, it’s several violations but especially motorists, including taxis, driving through the red lights and using the turning lane to get ahead of queuing traffic. Some of the elderly residents from the Manors say they are too afraid to drive through the intersection because it’s so dangerous.

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“Just a few metres away from the traffic lights going up to uMhlanga Ridge we’ve had cars crashing into the complex walls, which shows why speeding is a problem. We need enforcement from Metro Police and for the speed cameras to be operational again. Motorists and taxi drivers flout the rules on a daily basis and there are no consequences for those breaking the law, and there are potential consequences for those following the rule of law,” he said.

Chairperson of URRA, Terri MacLarty, concurred with Edwards’ assessment on traffic violations.

“I’ve secured a meeting with the eThekwini Mayor to discuss this among other service delivery issues in uMhlanga. When this issue was initially raised there was a plan to implement a solid line to stop motorists from overtaking, but this was mooted by the ETA. It is imperative that we get the law under control here as we’ve been fighting this for two years and I’m sure Richard (Edwards) has been fighting this longer. There have been several near misses and we understand Metro Police has constraints in terms of capacity to tackle this problem but this needs to be dealt with,” she said.

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