Locals ring bell amid alarming pedestrian-related accidents
An alarming rise in pedestrian-related accidents has sparked concern after a shocking surge in accidents recorded on Brackenhurst’s busy road.
Locals have noticed an alarming increase in pedestrian-related accidents on Brackenhurst’s busy road, highlighting the need for change as accident numbers continue to rise.
Locals and the business community have cited a stretch of Hennie Alberts Street as being dangerous because of the speedsters and reckless drivers using the road.
Residents expressed great concern, especially with schools being nearby, calling for traffic calming measures to be provided.
The EMPD’s Alberton Accident Bureau confirmed four crashes or accidents occurred at the location. Since this February, according to the EMPD, at least five children and/or pedestrians were knocked over by cars.
“On February 10, a school child was knocked over by a vehicle. On March 11, two schoolchildren were knocked over by a vehicle. On June 7, a school child was knocked over by a vehicle, and on August 5, a school child was knocked over by a vehicle,” said CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.
Vanessa van Zijl, a nearby resident who stays across from the accident scenes, said speeding drivers made it unsafe for pedestrians to use the road.
“I think it would help a lot if they lay speed humps to prevent road users from speeding on this road. From Dischem coming down, they speed a lot, and these accidents have increased over the years. Every two to three months, there’s always an accident, and the problem is worsening,” she said.
Cassim Mthembu, also struck by a vehicle on this busy road on July 12, called for city officials to intervene.
“About a month ago, I was walking from Checkers, and a female driver didn’t stop at a stop sign and bumped me. I injured my head. These accidents frequently occur, and two months doesn’t pass by without an accident occurring here,” he explained.
In response, city officials say they are attending to the issue and hope to find a solution.
“All the crashes recorded by the EMPD officers, patients or pedestrians sustained slight injuries, and the EMPD Alberton Precinct management, with the Social Crime Prevention Unit, is carefully studying the above report and attending to the matter with the hope of finding a solution,” Dlamini.
Previously, Dlamini advised locals to visit the Ekurhuleni Swartkoppies offices to fill out the traffic calming measures application form should they wish to have traffic calming measures provided.
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