Residents are uniting against the scourge of dangerous driving in the Roosevelt Park area

Residents of Roosevelt Park are increasingly alarmed by the surge in traffic accidents and reckless driving in their community. With calls for urgent safety improvements, will local authorities take action?.

October 19, 2024

Waydon Jacobs 2 minutes read

An accident that occurred last week on the corner of Louis street and Alita avenue.

Residents of Roosevelt Park are increasingly alarmed by the safety issues on their streets. We all know accidents are a norm on the roads these days, however this particular area has seen far more than its share.

Aush Naidoo, a resident in the area, stated that safety is a primary concern, and expressed his desire to live peacefully and freely without the constant threat of traffic incidents.

“Many drivers speed through the area, often in a rush to reach their destinations,” he told us. “This behaviour raises significant concerns about road safety, as it undermines the importance of adhering to speed limits.

An accident that occurred in 2017 on that same avenue.

“Residents have noted that traffic lights in the area do not always function as intended. When traffic signals fail, they should be treated as stop signs to ensure safety. The inconsistency of these signals adds to the confusion and danger on the roads, leading to potential accidents.”

There have been instances where accidents have directly impacted residents’ properties. The Northcliff Melville Times reported a notable incident that occurred on September 2017, when a metro police vehicle crashed through a fence of a private home on Milner Street.

Fortunately, there were no injuries reported in that case. However, the frequency of accidents in the area remains a pressing issue, with reports of incidents occurring at various times throughout the day, particularly when traffic is flowing.

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Naidoo said that in response to these ongoing safety concerns, residents have attempted to raise awareness about the dangers of speeding and the need for better traffic management. However, some individuals resist these efforts, complicating community initiatives.
“To address the issue, residents advocate for the installation of speed bumps or rumble strips to help calm traffic and reduce speeds.”

Recently Clive Maher, of SCP Security, reported a motor vehicle accident on the corner of Louis Street and Milner Avenue in Roosevelt Park. He confirmed that it was the Gauteng Traffic wardens and another vehicle that were involved in the accident, and stated that it was speed related.

“We were pleased to report that there were no fatalities that occured, and from what we witnessed, and understood from paramedics on scene, the injuries were not life threatening.”

Aush Naidoo stands in front of a street sign for one of the affected roads.

From the perspective of the community, it is extremely important to improve road safety in Roosevelt Park. The recurring accidents highlight the urgent need for preventative measures to mitigate risks and enhance the overall safety of the area.

As JMPD superintendent Xolani Fihla noted, their department is not fully aware of the extent of accidents in the area, but they plan to investigate further with their Accident Unit.

The residents of Roosevelt Park are calling for immediate action to improve road safety, emphasising that the current situation is untenable and requires urgent attention to prevent further accidents and ensure the safety of the community.