VRYHEID KZN: Coming soon… Infamous crossing to have signal lights

Last week Wednesday, provincial officials from the Department of Transport, together with investigators from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), visited the infamous Lakeside Crossing where 10 people, including three children, lost their lives in a crash in April. This crash is one of many in which people have died at this specific intersection.

Following investigations done by RTMC, it was determined that there were not sufficient warning or speed limit signs when motorists approach, which makes it a hazardous and dangerous crossing. “We accept that accidents will happen, but how do we mitigate the loss of life (fatalities)? This is the purpose of the site inspection. If we can do one or two things, if there’s an agreement on what must be done to save lives, obviously it is worthwhile,” indicated one of the RTMC investigators. He continued by saying: “We do not want people to die in a crash; it doesn’t matter how it happens. We can start to get to a point where we don’t have crashes where citizens die. Geographically, the angle is very high, so there must be measurements implemented to slow down and warn traffic long in advance of this intersection. And it seems like the signage is not there.” He continued by suggesting that maintenance to the side of the road is also important, since there are a lot of pedestrians on this road. He also suggested that sidewalk pathways could also be developed, since there is a community living close to the intersection.

Another suggestion was that chevron signage be erected on the slipways, as a barrier. Furthermore, it is important to clean up the slipway from loose sand to avoid vehicles possibly slipping and losing control. He emphasised that stricter law enforcement should be implemented during peak times, as well as throughout the day. Even though the most recent crash was allegedly due to human error, it is still imperative to rectify and ‘safeguard’ the crossing to avoid future crashes. Stop signs on both sides of the crossing were clearly visible at the time of the crash. In the weeks after the crash, speed limit signs were erected on the R69, as well as on the R34 leading up to the crossing.

During the meeting, the officials from the department indicated that a signal light will be erected within the next six months as an interim measurement. Rumble strips will be upgraded and clearly marked, as well as the clearance of vegetation alongside the road to ensure clear visibility of road signs. The area at the crossing itself also needs to be clear for visibility of oncoming traffic. It was also suggested that lights be erected at the intersection to improve visibility at night, and as a way to warn motorists of the intersection. During the meeting, it was indicated that the speed limit signs that were erected are ‘illegal’, since they are too small, and RTMC recommended that they get rectified as soon as possible. RTMC concluded by saying: “We are here to serve the public and they deserve proper signage. Following up weeks after the crash, the stop sign was erected again, and the speed limit signs were erected – this is something positive that has happened. It could be highlighted that the people responsible for the road didn’t just sit back and do nothing; something was done to improve the safety of the road. So what we need to do is determine if there is anything else that still needs to be done to make this intersection safer. It is still a concern that there is no warning of the downhill drop and that lorries must slow down when approaching the intersection.”

RTMC referred to the crash debris left at the side of the intersection, which is a clear indication of car crashes, but this is dangerous to pedestrians who could become the victims of crime, since these sharp objects could be used as weapons. The department responded by saying that the design manuals don’t require barriers to be erected at that specific intersection, but it will just be a precautionary measure and taking the initiative to alleviate future crashes. To end the meeting, the department confirmed that they are in the process of communicating with service providers to ‘safeguard’ this intersection and that residents can expect a signal light (traffic light) there by the end of this year.

This will assist in the management of traffic, and it will force vehicles to stop at the intersection and grant other vehicles the opportunity to cross the road, since it currently frustrates drivers who have to wait while oncoming traffic has right of way. They also confirmed that the signal lights will only be an interim solution and ultimately they would like to re-grade the road and impose geometrical adjustments to this intersection which will occur in the next five years.

ALSO READ: VRYHEID KZN: Update: 9 dead in Lakeside Crossing crash

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