Car accident sparks plea for speed bumps to prevent tragedies

A recent accident in Beverley AH, where a vehicle lost control and crashed into an electricity pole, prompted a concerned resident, Geoff Gregson, to call for installing speed bumps.

August 16, 2024

Ditiro Masuku 2 minutes read

An accident scene calls for concern in Beverly AH.

A concerned resident in Beverley AH, Geoff Gregson, is urging authorities to install speed bumps on Fountain Road after a harrowing accident occurred at around 07:30 on August 11.

He said a vehicle lost control on the bend and crashed into a wooden electricity pole, dragging a piece of it 60 meters before coming to a stop. The two occupants allegedly fled the scene.

Gregson, who is still new in the area, has expressed relief that no pedestrians or cyclists were injured, given the time of day and frequent usage of the road.

“It could’ve ended so much worse,” he said, while adding that the bend also highlights a potential danger to morning commuters, including schoolchildren and cyclists.

“I know there is a lovely lady that walks along this road every day with her dog and waves at everyone; if she had been there she and her dog would have been killed. The matter of a few degrees in elevation being a problem doesn’t make sense when people’s lives are at risk.”

He said the incident highlights the need for speed control measures on Fountain Road, where drivers often accelerate up the hill.

Also read: Beggar dies in tragic accident involving JMPD

“This didn’t happen at 40km/h. We are pleading for speed bumps to prevent future accidents.”

Geoff, an avid cyclist, regularly uses Fountain Road to warm up before tackling the steeper Mulbarton Road, which already has speed bumps.

The community is urged to support the call for speed bumps on Fountain Road to ensure a safer environment for all road users.

Ward 94 councilor David Foley said an engineer from Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has been onsite with himself more than once looking at speed bumps on all the Beverley roads after frequent requests from the residents.

“The problem here is the speed the car was going. I will get the engineer out again just to make doubly sure. All around Beverley it says 40 km/h. I don’t think speed bumps will be allowed close to a corner, but I will get it in writing from the JRA engineer. I get these requests every year.”