Dangerous Manoeuvers
MOTORISTS illegally drive into roaring traffic to skip the robot at the intersection between Overbury Street and Swartkoppies Road.
MOTORISTS illegally drive into roaring traffic to skip the robot at the intersection of Overbury Street and Swartkoppies Road.
4×4’s with children present in the vehicles were driving onto the pavement next to Overbury Street and driving through the veld towards Swartkoppies Road. The cars then proceed to drive over a solid line and right in front of the traffic driving down the busy stretch of road. This action is both illegal and highly dangerous.
Further adding to the danger is that this occurs in the peak traffic time between 7am and 7.30am. The stretch of veld utilised by the drivers has no road markings.
Read: Minibus accident in Alberton
Concerned resident Michelle from Brackenhurst brought the problem of reckless driving by motorists at the intersection to our attention. According to her, a large number of drivers attempt to skip the gridlock present at the intersection, when the robots are not working, drive through the nearby veld and enter the road illegally right into the busy traffic.
Her concerns are further aggravated by the fact that she has noticed taxis, 4×4’s and even school busses transporting children. She is very worried that parents are unaware that their children are being transported in this reckless and dangerous manner.
At the moment there is nothing in place to prevent cars from moving through this area. Drivers simply enter wherever they feel is best with little regard for other vehicles around them. This is usually done within 10m of the traffic lights, creating a situation where they can potentially drive in front of traffic from three separate directions.
Metro police are occasionally present at the intersection but during these occasions, drivers refrain from acting in this manner. This intersection falls under the jurisdiction of both EMPD and JMPD.
EMPD have been contacted regarding the issue but we have not yet received comment from them.
Ward 38 councilor Malcolm Maifala has commented that the metro departments are aware of the issue but due to limitations on their available resources, it is not viable for them to be there every day to prevent this action. He has added that he will ask EMPD to monitor the situation more closely.
Council has requested that residents who see this behaviour report it to them through the call centre which can be reached on 0860 543 000 or email them directly at call.centre@ekurhuleni.gov.za
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