A grieving Lyndhurst family has partnered with Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to explore safety interventions on Johannesburg Road near Lyndhurst Road after their relative was killed in a vehicle collision.

Keatlaretswe Sekete died after she was struck by a car, prompting her sister, Marcia Mayaba, and family members to approach authorities to advocate for improvements. “We took the decision to engage with government authorities to advocate for meaningful road safety improvements.

Read more: JRA and Johannesburg Water are aware of Illovo’s 10-year-old leak

We are encouraged that this engagement has resulted in a partnership with JRA, and we are now working together to make Johannesburg Road safer for pedestrians, residents and all road users,” Mayaba said. Sandringham police are investigating the crash after opening a culpable homicide case against the driver.

JRA operations manager for strategic support in the office of the CEO Mehluli Nhlengethwa explained that the road is a class 2 major arterial undivided dual carriageway. “In August, we requested the installation of 60km/h speed limit signs along the road. The road markings were clearly visible, and at the time of our site visit all traffic signals were in a working condition,” Nhlengethwa said.

He said a queue count was requested to determine whether the intersection meets the warrants for a traffic signal, but demand on the side road fell below the minimum requirement.

Also read: JRA increases barricading around Jan Smuts and Rothesay avenues after a second accident

“Introducing unwarranted measures, such as a signalised pedestrian crossing or intersection, can create a critical safety hazard. Drivers expecting a continuous mobility route will not anticipate sudden unwarranted stops, exponentially increasing the risk of high-speed rear-end collisions and fatal pedestrian accidents,” Nhlengethwa said.

The following recommendations have been made to address safety on the road:

• Rumble strips: Tactile and auditory warning devices designed to alert drivers through vibration and noise rather than physical speed reduction. They act as advance warning systems rather than primary speed-calming tools.
• Speed humps: Broader, gradual humps measuring 10cm–15cm high and 3m–4m wide to allow smooth passage at moderate neighbourhood speeds. Installation will proceed once an appointed consultant issues drawings and determines the exact number required between the two traffic signals.
• Median island: A constructed median island to provide a refuge for pedestrians, prevent head-on collisions, and calm traffic by narrowing travel lanes.
• Speed law enforcement cameras: JRA is also contemplating approaching the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department to install speed enforcement cameras, accompanied by ‘Speed Camera Ahead’ signage to curb speeding.

Nhlengethwa said the team will ensure all road safety signage and road markings are in place by the end of October.

Follow us on our WhatsApp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates!