Accidents occur on the same spot twice in four days
HYDE PARK – Two accidents occurred four days apart on Jan Smuts and Waterfall avenues.
The morning of 21 May saw yet another accident at the corner of Jan Smuts and Waterfall avenues.
“I was going up Jan Smuts then decided to turn at Rothesay Street and indicated my intention to do so but apparently the other driver did not see me,” said Samuel Majova, the driver of a VW Jetta.
The VW Jetta and a Ford Ranger collided, both vehicles sustaining visible damage. The drivers and the passengers in the Ford Ranger were uninjured and gave statements to the Metro police on the scene.
However, there was indecision as to who was at fault as both drivers gave a different version of what happened. One of the Metro police officials present, who wanted to remain anonymous, said, “There are no robots on this road and there are no signs either; there are about four roads intersecting and so it’s very difficult for motorists to see what’s going on as they come up the road.”
The police officer went on to say it was going to be very difficult to start installing traffic lights because there were others just a few metres away.
This accident follows four days after a previous accident at the same spot. On 17 May a Mazda 2 collided with a commuter minibus taxi on Waterfall and Jan Smuts avenues. The driver of the Mazda 2 sustained neck injuries and ER24 emergency services attended to her.
The Mazda 2 belonging to a woman who was allegedly visiting from Cape Town, was said to be a write-off by the towing company. The taxi driver involved was not injured and while the towing company and emergency services on the scene were discussing a way forward, he got into his taxi and sped off.
“I will speak to Johannesburg Roads Agency about speeding up the process of painting the affected roads with proper road signs because at this point it becomes difficult to determine who was at fault,” said Ward 90 councillor, Martin Williams.
When approached for comment, the roads agency said they would conduct a site visit and provide feedback the following week.
Metro police spokesperson, Edna Mamonyane said these collisions are a major problem, especially during peak hours. “Drivers disrespect the road traffic rules and only want to follow them when they see police officers around.
“People turn two-lane roads into four lanes; they do not want to give each other space and others even drive on the wrong side of the road,” she said.
Mamonyane advised drivers to rather try and wake up early to avoid being caught in traffic and then rushing everyone else in the process. She said people need to change their way of thinking as well as their road behaviour, so as to reach their workplaces on time and safely.
Details: Johannesburg Metro police, 011 375 5911; First Road, info@first4u.co.za
For any accidents occurring in your area, let us know by emailing naidines@caxton.co.za
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