New speed bumps are being installed on the Helpmekaar road adjacent to Stratford farm,Kwa Sithole, and motorists have already complained that ‘normal car cannot get over them’.

This follows last week’s tragedy when a child was struck while crossing the road by a bakkie. The girl died, sparking a protest by residents who burnt tyres and threw rocks at the police who responded.

Over 100 speed humps were installed some years ago but the ones currently being built, about 12,  are ‘obstacles’, said farmer Andre Spies.

“A car cannot get over the humps without going over at an acute angle. Some motorists are doing u-turns to avoid the roads and this is causing even more safety concerns. The Province or municipality needs to create safe walking areas next to the road that are fenced off like is the case in other areas. This is just dangerous. After dark, motorists who do not know that there are these huge mountains on the road will do damage to their cars.”

His thoughts were echoed by Herman de Wet of the Umzinyathi Farmers’ Association who said: the size of the new speed bumps would impact heavily on agriculture, tourism and on ordinary commuters.
“I have already had complaints from motorists who say the humps will be so big cattle being transported to the sale yard will suffer bruising and this will represent a loss to farmers once these animals are sold to the abattoir and the bruised meat cut out. Also, tourists will be nervous to travel on a road (that is on the route to access Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana) because it will mean their vehicles will have to go about 5km to go over the humps. This may make them vulnerable to attack. And what about taxis transporting people? These vehicles will suffer wear and tear.” Mr de Wet said local schools should re-introduce road safety awareness.
“Pedestrians walk sometimes four abreast on both sides of the road. They also walk on the yellow line thinking that this is safe. It is not. By putting up huge speed humps is a negative response by the authorities.

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