Asphalt too hard to install much needed bumps
The construction of five speedbumps from the Total garage intersection to the Drakensig turnoff has been halted after marking the road for the bumps started in the first week of July.
Lizmari Wolmarans of the Hoedspruit Chamber of Commerce/Sakekamer (HCS) said on its website they have asked for feedback regarding the speedbumps and were told by Maruleng Municipality’s technical director, Lesley Morua, that the municipality’s asphalt is too hard, and they have requested to employ a contractor to assist with the process of heating the asphalt to make it workable.
This comes after Hoedspruit Town Watch, Hoedspruit Farm Watch, and the HCS approached the municipality to instate speed calming measures to minimise the risk of accidents due to speeding. On their website, HCS expressed their shock after an accident that occurred in March at the Raptors View entrance. Wolmarans said on the website that the problem increases during the evenings when diminished light and driving under the influence play a bigger role.
“HCS is of the opinion that it is only a matter of time before another accident happens and the occupants are not as lucky to escape with their lives. It is extremely important to come to a resolution on how this can be mitigated before anyone else gets hurt or loses a life.” She said the evidence at the Raptors View accident shows a motorist exiting the estate onto the R527 in the direction of Hoedspruit. The driver made sure to stop and check before entering the main road.
Also read: HCS starts food gardens
“A few seconds after the turn, one can observe a vehicle coming from Blyde’s side driving right over the stop street at a speed that was arguably not the 60km/h limit, into the turning driver’s vehicle,” she stated on the website. Another area that needs to be addressed, is the main road and the R40. “It sounds like an F1 racecourse and only a few vehicles stop at the stop signs, including motor vehicles, motorcycles, and most worrying, trucks.
“Video evidence was sent to the mining companies to request apprehension and reprimand, with no feedback,” Wolmarans said on their website. Wolmarans has called on Maruleng Municipality to assist to escalate the issue after own requests to Sanral and RAL went unanswered.
