The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has provided their response following the recent road safety measures that have been implemented on a bend that was once dangerous on Albert Street. Two new speed bumps were installed on Tuesday, September 16, and the road markings were repainted in the same week.

While this is a moment to celebrate, it took five years for the measures to be actioned, leaving questions as to what took so long. The JRA’s Head of Department for Regional Operations, Khaya Gqibitole, explained that the JRA has been actively improving road safety on Albert Street over the years.

“The JRA implemented various road safety measures to improve visibility, deter speeding, and reduce reckless driving. These include the installation of a double guardrail to protect property, road studs on the bend, speed reduction from 60km/h to 40km/h with a speed camera sign, sharp bend warning signs, painted yellow lines, and speed humps further near the school, written ‘Slow’,” he said.

• Also read: Albert Street residents demand road safety

Gqibitole added that the delay in putting permanent measures into place was necessary due to extensive technical evaluations, “The geometric alignment of the road around the horizontal bend required careful study. We conducted speed surveys, traffic counts, crash data evaluations, and design assessments of vertical and horizontal geometry, including sight distance and constraints. These assessments require time to ensure that solutions are safe and effective and do not compromise road users’ safety.”

On concerns that the JRA acted too slowly to bring solutions to this matter despite multiple accidents, Gqibitole emphasised that engineering solutions alone will not address poor or unlawful driver behaviour, such as aggressive driving, distracted driving, or deliberate violations of traffic laws.

“Unlawful driver behaviour often stems from individual choices and requires consistent enforcement to deter and correct. This falls under the responsibility of the JMPD, which is equipped to implement law enforcement measures like visible speed enforcement, traffic cameras, and targeted roadblocks,” he added.

Finally, Gqibitole highlighted that the JRA is working closely with the JMPD to ensure that the road safety measures are being adhered to.

The residents have welcomed these measures, with one resident who championed the fight for action to be taken, Jennifer van der Westhuizen saying, “To see this finally happening is overwhelming, as this wasn’t just installed, but it was earned through half a decade of refusal to give up.”