WATCH: The hidden dangers of intersections
After numerous letters of complaint about the bad driving of Alberton road users, the RECORD has decided to keep an eye out at a couple of intersections and count the offences.
GONE are the days when the kindergarten song, Stop sê die rooilig, ry sê die groenlig, oppas sê die geellig, oppas wat jy doen has any really meaning.
Today a red traffic light means put pedal to the metal and a green traffic light is a warning to approach with caution – extreme caution because some idiot driver is bound to skip a red light.
After numerous letters of complaint about the bad driving of Alberton road users, the RECORD has decided to keep an eye out at a couple of intersections and count the offences.
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At some of these, in the little time it takes for a green arrow to turn red and then give way to the traffic light to change to green for those vehicles crossing the intersection, no less than five cars still turned right against a red light and those having right of way had to wait.
Spending time at these intersections leaves only one conclusion. There is no regard for the law by many drivers. Drivers have been caught on camera skipping red lights, making illegal right turns from lanes only marked for left turns, overtaking on solid lines, changing lanes when it is not safe (also on a solid line), skipping stop streets.
“People just don’t care anymore. They don’t care if they push in right in front of you, or if they hear screaming breaks after you have to make an emergency stop due to their bad driving. Normal people become harmful behind the wheel and on the roads,” said Hennie van der Walt from Randhart.
Another resident, Esther du Plessis said: “I hate driving down Swartkoppies or Kliprivier roads. People are always speeding here. I always slow down when I approach a green traffic light because I have nearly been taken out by somebody skipping a red light.
“Sadly, just about everywhere on the roads, you can easily notice the presence of remnants of accidents on and near busy intersections. Broken glass, evidence of heavy breaking, tyre pieces or even broken fences,” she continued.
Accidents have become a regular thing on roads like Swartkoppies Road, Michelle Avenue, the R59 highway, the N3 and N12 highways and Kliprivier Drive, to mention just a few.
Recent accidents
• A young man died after an accident on the R59 north approximately 1km before Klipriver Road on January 14 at about 9.30pm.
• Passengers were treated for minor injuries after a minibus driver skidded off Ring Road East up the embankment, resulting in him turning his vehicle over on its side. This happened in March.
• An accident occurred on April 26 which led to the Jaws of Life being used on one of the vehicles involved, to free trapped passengers.
• Two vehicles were involved in a crash on the Voortrekker Road Bridge over the N12 Southern Bypass just after 7am on March 26. The driver of the white Kia suffered light injuries and was taken to hospital by emergency services for treatment. Both the Kia and Mercedes involved in the accident suffered severe damage.
These are only a couple of recent accidents mentioned.
Drivers have no respect
“People have no clue how to drive these days, and get angry with you if you don’t stop and let them in. I would love it if they put up a sign to show people how to use intersections. It is as if some motorists have acquired a licence to kill,” said a motorist who wished not to be named.
“Most of these accidents are caused either by drivers skipping red traffic lights, or not stopping and treating a non-working traffic light as a four-way stop. Not only is an intersection dangerous, but sometimes motorists are distracted by their cellphones, music, fiddling in handbags or not concentrating,” he said.
“It is not just intersections that are a problem, but also the way motorists approach traffic circles. Some motorists don’t know how to use a traffic circle,” said Tom Jenkins, a regular road user passing through Alberton.
“I am honestly of the opinion that many people with a drivers licence these days, did not pass any kind of exam or even left the testing area to go out on the road to see whether they are actually fit to be driving. I am sure many of these have been bought because most drivers these days obviously have no idea about the simple rules of the road – they don’t even notice the markings on the roads like arrows, solid lines, yellow lines, no parking etc. How do we expect these people to know a red light means stop!”
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Albertonians are warned to take note when they are driving. The RECORD will be watching.
Safer driving saves lives
• Obey all traffic signals and signs – also those painted on the roads.
• Be careful: Even if the traffic light is green and it is your turn to cross, check that the coast is clear and there are no oncoming vehicles.
• Do not take risks: If you realise that the traffic light will turn red by the time you reach the intersection, stop and wait for the light to change.
• When traffic lights are not working, remember that the first vehicle to arrive has priority – the intersection should be treated as a four-way stop.
• Keep at least a three-second following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
• Do not cross the solid line when changing lanes and don’t change lanes when crossing an intersection.
• Always be aware of pedestrians at intersections – they have right of way.
• Do not stop to drop people off at any place other than those marked.
Besides compliance with the rules, driver etiquette is the first measure of improving intersection safety. The intersection is no place for selfishness. Be prepared to be the safer driver by showing courtesy towards other drivers.
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Also Read:
WATCH: Play it safe at intersections
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