A HOTSPOT for motor vehicle accidents, the Amanzimtoti River Bridge along Andrew Zondo Road recently claimed another victim, who called for proper safety measures to be put into place to prevent more accidents from happening.

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Lifelong Amanzimtoti resident, Cedric Carr, recently had a traumatic experience on the bridge which led to the totalling of his vehicle.

Lucky to walk away alive and without injuries except for being hit with glass fragments on his arms, legs and torso, he decided that enough is enough and hopes that by speaking out, authorities will improve the dire state the bridge is in.

“I was headed south and just before exiting the bridge to take the bend, an oncoming vehicle came down the hill too fast. It was raining at the time, so road conditions were poor. When I saw him, I managed to slightly veer to the left, avoiding a head-on collision. I got sideswiped as a result. I could have ended up drowning in the river,” said Carr.

Dalene Heath of Toti Community Assist manages a local emergency WhatsApp group. She said that motorists frequently cut the corner. “In the past year, there were 29 incidents reported along the Amanzimtoti River Bridge, ranging from fender benders to motor vehicle accidents. A local towing company towed around 15 cars away from the bridge during that time,” said Heath.

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Suggestions to minimise accidents

Carr made some suggestions to bolster safety for motorists.

• Rumble strips along the hill would go a long way in reducing speed
• Reflective material along the bridge walls to ensure it is clearly visible to motorists.
• Proper signage is necessary to encourage motorists to slow down.

Councillor responds

Ward 97 councillor André Beetge said that an improved design for the bridge has been approved, with construction scheduled to commence in April.

“The upgraded structure will replace the existing railings with a reinforced, cast concrete barrier system securely anchored into the sidewalk. A protective railing will be installed on the outer edge, ensuring pedestrian safety while maintaining accessibility,” said Beetge.

Requests for traffic calming measures between the river crossing and Mayville Terrace, however, were not supported. He explained that traffic studies based on vehicle volumes, road geometry and officially recorded accident data indicate that such measures are not justified.

“The natural layout of the road, including a sharp bend, already contributes to reduced vehicle speeds, and additional calming interventions may negatively impact traffic flow. We will however continue to engage with the relevant authorities to advocate for additional precautionary measures, including the installation of rumble strips and improved lighting along critical sections of the road, particularly near the lower bend on approach from Mayville Terrace.”

He appealed to the community to ensure all accidents are reported as such data remains a crucial part of the decision-making process.

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