Main Avenue and Grove Street gets a four-way stop
FERNDALE – JRA and residents work it out.
The intersection of Main Avenue and Grove Street recently received a four-way stop street that will calm traffic in the Randburg suburb.
David Potter, councillor of Ward 102, said, “The introduction of a four-way stop from a two-way stop is welcomed.”
The creation of the four-way stop comes after a petition launched by residents urging the City of Johannesburg and the Johannesburg Roads Agency to install traffic signals at the intersection. The intersection was notoriously known for gridlocked traffic during peak hour and accidents caused by drivers failing to slow down for other cars at the intersection.
After the petition was handed over, the agency’s traffic engineering department carried out a traffic survey and a signalised intersection was warranted, according to the agency’s spokesperson, Bertha Peters-Scheepers.
Once warranted, the community was notified that the agency would install traffic lights, Peters-Scheepers stated that they rejected traffic lights, “Residents declined the proposed signalled intersection and requested that it rather be converted into a four-way stop.”
Residents preferred a four-way stop over the initially proposed traffic lights as they felt that they would not reduce speeding, whereas a four-way stop will force all motorists to slow down and come to a complete halt added Peters-Scheepers.
Potter agrees that traffic-light installation was the initial request by residents but after further engagement with the residents, the agency and motorists, the four-way stop street was a better way to deal with speeding and the flow of traffic from all directions.
Potter expressed, “It is evident that the implementation of this has made an immediate difference, with road users slowing down to stop on Grove corner Main.”
He noted that this solution cannot force bad motorists to change their reckless and lawless driving traits but thanked the agency for working with his ward to make it a safer place for residents, motorists and pedestrians.
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