Ward councillor launches safer street campaign at Rand Park High School

Ward 134 councillor Devon Steenkamp has launched the safer school streets campaign at Rand Park High School, as part of a broader effort to prioritise learner safety and improve traffic flow in school zones.

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The campaign focuses on the school and its surrounding roads. It calls on Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to consider implementing a one-way traffic system on Asgaai Avenue, either during peak school hours or permanently. Asgaai experiences heavy traffic in the morning and afternoon as parents pick up and drop off learners. Some cars park on the side of the road, making it difficult for other cars to pass. Some even end up driving in incoming lanes.

Steenkamp explained that this intervention would alleviate traffic congestion and reduce the risk to learners and pedestrians. “I believe every school child deserves a safe route to school. The current congestion outside the school places unnecessary risk on learners, parents, and the broader community. This campaign is about putting safety first, and urging the city to act.”

This change will potentially bring much-needed relief by allowing residents to enter and leave their driveways more easily, and by reducing the risk of accidents for pedestrians. It will also ease frustration for parents navigating drop-off and pick-up.

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“I have engaged with JRA and JMPD, who are conducting ongoing traffic studies in the area,” Steenkamp continued. “They’ve acknowledged the congestion concerns, and have hinted that a temporary one-way system may be considered as a first-phase solution.”

Heather Robinson, marketing and communications manager at the school, confirmed that Asgaai Avenue is busy during the first twenty minutes after school closes each day. “This has an impact on the school’s neighbours and congestion does occur. We are not aware of recent incidents that have affected learners’ safety, but the school will comply with the traffic authorities’ requirements regarding traffic control, to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion.”

Residents are encouraged to participate in a short survey and sign the petition to show support for the proposal. Both can be found at: Tinyurl.com.

“The petition is going well and has gained significant support,” Steenkamp concluded. “Many residents and parents have confirmed the congestion issue, and several have mentioned incidents of road rage during peak times.”

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