School learners’ lives put in danger

GLENVISTA High School learners who have to get to and from school, are risking their lives every day as they cross True North Road where it intersects with The Broads Street.

Resident, Phindi Nzimande, who lives on True North Road, says she sees children every day attempting to cross the road with great difficulty. “Some children walk to school and others are dropped off by taxi or by their parents and then they can stand for up to 10 minutes trying to cross the road. I have seen many parents frustrated as well as school transport having difficulty getting across the intersection. It takes me ages every morning to get out of my driveway due to the amount of cars speeding in both directions of True North Road.

“Eventually after waiting so long, the children run across the busy road putting their lives in danger. There is just no break in the traffic. I have tried to contact Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) but I have had no response. I know having traffic lights or possibly speed bumps will make a huge difference. There’s been many crashes and accidents at this intersection and if something isn’t done very soon a child could lose their life.”

The CHRONICLE reporter was at the intersection on Thursday, January 21, for about half an hour and witnessed how dangerous this intersection is. One Glenvista High School learner stood for over 10 minutes trying to cross the road safely and in the end in sheer desperation and out of fear of being late for school, she ran across the road with a vehicle narrowly missing her.

*JRA and Glenvista High School have been asked for comment. At the time of going to press no comment was forthcoming from either party.