‘Dangerous’ Dalmada traffic circle concern
The traffic circle on the R71 in Dalmada was constructed to slow down traffic on this busy road
POLOKWANE – Now, less than two years later, residents in the area complain about the apparent lack of signage warning motorists of the circle, something they say is the result of a series of recent motor vehicle accidents in the area.
Vehicles approach the circle at high speeds before losing control of the vehicles, they say.
One business owner, who wants to remain anonymous, expressed his concern.
“One day, someone is going to end up dead because of this circle,” he said. “Many motorists, especially those who travel to Tzaneen, still do not know about the circle and the speeds at which they travel are alarming.”
The man currently needs to repair a part of his property after a driver, who lost control of the bakkie he was travelling in , recently crashed into his plot, leaving destruction in its wake.
“They should put flickering lights near the circle to make it more visible, especially at night,” he suggested.
There are signs to warn drivers of the traffic circle, but they are too small to make an impact for such a large circle. There is evidence of collisions on the circle itself and there is ample debris spread across the circle leaving evidence of accidents that have occurred.
Spokesperson for the Polokwane Municipality, Matshidiso Mothapo, said the road does not fall under the municipality’s jurisdiction but rather that of the Department of Roads and Transport.
After several attempts, this department referred Review to the Department of Public Works, who referred us to Sanral.
Review will keep you updated.
