Pedestrian hit by car at a dangerous bend
Urgent action is needed before more lives are put at risk as accidents continue to occur.
The dangers of Albert Street escalated even further on Monday, February 17, when a pedestrian was struck by a speeding car. This latest incident comes just days after three other accidents occurred in the same area, fuelling growing frustration among residents who have long called for stronger safety measures.
Resident Jennifer van der Westhuizen actively advocates for action and expresses her distress.
“What happened speaks volumes. Everything that I have tried to prevent from happening has become a reality. The pedestrian was hit and thankfully she is okay and the injuries are not as severe as they could’ve been. This could’ve been prevented a long time ago. I’ve been busy with the Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) since 2021 and fighting this whole thing about getting calming measures here and now it has resulted in a pedestrian getting hit,” she says.
Despite safety measures such as guardrails, warning signs, and ongoing cat-eye installations, accidents continue to happen, raising serious concerns about enforcement and driver behaviour. Van der Westhuizen shares that she has repeatedly requested permission to place boulders on her pavement to protect her property, but her emails have gone unanswered.
Following mounting pressure from residents, JRA CEO Zweli Nyathi provided a response outlining the measures taken and future steps under consideration. Nyathi confirmed that several safety interventions have already been implemented, including the extension of guardrails by five metres to protect properties, installation of road studs on the bend, reinstallation of 60 km/h and 40 km/h speed limit signs due to the proximity of a school, installation of sharp bend warning signs, painting of yellow lines on both sides of the road, and painting of speed humps further near the school with the word ‘SLOW’ written on the road.
However, in response to Van der Westhuizen’s request to place boulders on her pavement, Nyathi stated that while bollards are permissible under the South African Road Restraint Systems Manual, guardrails are generally more effective in protecting pedestrians and properties.
Nyathi also announced that the JRA will conduct an additional Road Safety Audit to explore further interventions. One possibility under consideration is the installation of rumble strips to reduce speed and enhance driver awareness. However, he noted that rumble strips come with disadvantages, such as increased noise levels and potential road surface deterioration. Another potential measure being investigated is the replacement of mountable barrier curbs at the curve.
“This would narrow the traffic lanes and encourage drivers to be more cautious, while also providing added protection for pedestrians,” he said.
While engineering solutions are being explored, Nyathi stressed that reckless driving is often the result of unlawful driver behaviour rather than road design flaws. He emphasised that enforcement by the JMPD is crucial in addressing speeding and reckless driving.
“It is recommended that the JMPD implement targeted law enforcement initiatives at this location to address concerns regarding poor driver behaviour,” he concluded.
