Signs an unsafe issue at Greenhills circle

Motorists in Randfontein do not know how to use traffic circles.

This is the belief of Peet Horn who on three separate occasions were nearly in an accident at the Greenhills Centre circle.

According to Horn the circle there is unsafe due to the absence of traffic directional signs or markings.

“The roads are in a terrible state and the directional arrows that were painted back in the days of the Voortrekkers, have nearly completely faded away now. Tony’s Meat Market have painted their side of the parking lot but what about the rest?” Horn asked.

Horn was shopping at Tony’s Meat Market one Saturday when a motorist driving the wrong way down the one way circle nearly collided with Horn with his family in his vehicle.

“I really cant blame the guy, how was he suppose to know if there are no stop signs or arrows,” Horn said.

The advantages of roundabouts, according to www.arivealive.co.za, is that it calms traffic congestion, it reduces the chance of a head-on-collision, it improves the intersection capacity and brings aesthetic improvements to that area. Not the case with the roundabout in Greenhills and without proper instruction or signs it could be seen as more dangerous.

According to DA councillor, Peter Dick, the roads and particularly the Greenhills circle do get painted every now and then, which begs to ask the question: Why are the paint fading so quickly?

The Randfontein Municipality is yet to comment on their plan of action regarding the faded street arrows or the lack of of proper signs around the circle.

Here are the proper roundabout usage instructions as posted by the Arive Alive website:

Approaching a roundabout:

-On approaching a roundabout take notice and act on all the information available to you, including traffic signs, traffic lights and lane markings which direct you into the correct lane.

-If you take your time and make sure you are in the correct lane a good distance from the roundabout you can’t go far wrong.

-Slow down as you approach the intersection – You’re typically not required to stop.

-A roundabout is designed to be driven at low speed. Entering and travelling through a roundabout at higher speed is difficult and could be unsafe.

-Don’t worry if you have to stop when you reach the roundabout. When it’s clear, ease up off the clutch smoothly, don’t rush, keep using the mirrors, and above all, stay calm.

-As you enter the roundabout, traffic coming from your right has right of way. This means that traffic streaming into the roundabout from the entrance to your right will keep coming as long as no one is coming from their right.

-These cars may not even slow down as they enter the roundabout, because they have the right of way. You must stop and wait until there is a -break in traffic. Watch out for other traffic in the roundabout.

-Once you are on the roundabout maintain a reasonable speed. Failing to do this, especially when you are in the right-hand lane, may result in other drivers passing on the nearside.

-Watch out for vehicles already on the roundabout; be aware they may not be signalling correctly or signalling at all.

-Always keep an eye on the vehicle in front as you’re about to emerge. Don’t assume the driver won’t have to stop while you’re still looking right. Many rear end collisions happen this way. Make sure the vehicle has actually moved away.Watch for pedestrians and bicycles. -Keep in mind that buses or large trucks need extra room to make turns and might take up more than one lane in a traffic circle. -Obey all traffic signs and road markings.

-Signal your intent to other drivers when entering, going around and exiting the circle.

-If you miss your turn, just go around again. Avoid swerving at the last minute.

To Turn Left (taking the first exit) signal left and approach in the left-hand lane keep to the left on the roundabout and continue signalling left to leave.

To go straight on (taking the second exit) select the appropriate lane on approach to and on the roundabout. If no marking on the road it is usually safest to keep to the left lane stay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundabout signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.

To Turn Right (taking the last exit or third exit )

Signal right and approach in the right-hand lane keep to the right on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit the roundabout and

signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.Mini-circles

Slow down and give way to other vehicles that cross any Yield line before you do. Proceed in a clockwise direction around the painted island, without driving on it.