City residents call for more speed humps

Road safety concerns prompt calls for City of uMhlathuze to install additional speed humps , wildlife signboards to deter speeding motorists

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Gugu Myeni 2 minutes read

The John Ross highway is among roads flagged by residents

Persistent road accidents, pedestrian knockdowns and high volumes of wildlife being killed while crossing roads have prompted calls for more speed humps across the City of uMhlathuze.

While driver behaviour remains a key challenge, city residents are pleading for more effective measures to deter speeding in Richards Bay and the surrounding areas.

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Concerned residents are petitioning the municipality to install humps along the John Ross highway between Meerensee and the Woodchip Glade intersection.

The request further extends to some routes within residential areas and in the Richards Bay CBD.

It is hoped the speed humps will deter drivers from endangering both human lives and wildlife.

While the John Ross highway falls within the jurisdiction of the provincial Department of Transport, residents are pleading with the municipality to lead the charge.

Among those championing the cause is Meerensee resident Theuns van Tonder, who said speed humps appear to be the ‘only effective deterrent to speeding and resultant killings of both wildlife and humans’.

“I saw two pedestrians in silver jackets killed by motorists in the last week,” said Van Tonder.

“We have submitted the required motivation, plus an indication of where speed humps are needed, plus the list of residents in favour of speed humps,” he said.

Road safety concerns

In a January petition sent to the municipality, residents highlighted the prevalence of wildlife species in the area, including troops of vervet monkeys, mongoose, and many other animals that pass roads daily between green belt areas to feed.

“This includes the John Ross/Dune Route and other high-volume traffic areas.

“These roads are also high accident zones, with many animals and pedestrians killed or maimed due to poor speed adherence.

“We are aware that a minority of residents do not want speedhumps,” the petition reads.

“It’s understandable that many residents are hesitant about installing speed humps. Concerns about inconvenience, vehicle wear, noise, and cost are valid and deserve to be acknowledged.

“However, when these concerns are weighed against the proven benefits, speed humps remain one of the most practical and effective traffic-calming solutions available.”

Calls for signboards

Director and founder of White Eye Foundation, Mirriam Otto has also called for the installation of at least 55 signboards to alert drivers to adhere to road rules and alert them of wildlife in the area.

She noted several roads in the city where boards should be installed. These include the John Ross highway towards Woodchip Glade; North Central Arterial, especially at the stretch between the robots on this road and John Ross College; Hibberd Drive; Via Richardia; Weigelia; East Central Arterial; Nkoninga Road towards Mandlazini, among others.

Otto raised an alarm about the high numbers of wildlife picked up almost daily, after being run over by speeding motorists.

“Richards Bay has a lot of wildlife, and we see the numbers dwindling every day. Pretty soon we will have none left,” she said.

Otto said, in most areas speed humps would be more ideal to deter speeding drivers.

“It is not just concerning wildlife, but also for pedestrians and schoolchildren, especially along the road near Richardia Primary School, where we often pick up a lot of injured wildlife,” she added.

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