Reckless driving on gravel roads cause for concern
Residents of the Soetdorings smallholdings say speeding motorists on the gravel road cause accidents and damage to property
LIMPOPO – Three accidents in the space of two days took place recently on the gravel roads of the Soetdorings smallholdings.
Residents and the community policing forum (CPF) along the Soetdorings smallholdings are helpless to control the circumstances which could have led to the spate of accidents.
One of the residents, Mariaan Coetzee spoke to Review on their concerns. Cotzee has been living on the smallholdings for several years and has championed a request for the Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) to have speed limit signs erected along the gravel roads in an attempt to reduce the number of accidents. RAL agreed and speed signs were erected, however, these speed limits are largely being ignored by motorists who make use of the gravel roads.
In one of the more recent accidents, a driver lost control of his vehicle while speeding on the gravel road. The vehicle subsequently overturned. No serious injuries were reported but it is alleged that besides speeding, driving under the influence was also a contributing factor. Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous due to fear of victimisation, told Review some of the accidents which occurred on the road has caused damage to her property.
“These motorists speed, lose control of their vehicles and then damage private property when they have an accident, leaving the owners of the property with the financial strain of constantly repairing the damage. These reckless drivers might one day push me far enough to sell my property and move away due to their disrespect and disregard for their own safety and the safety of others,” she said.
Coetzee urged the residents of the smallholdings to urge visitors to abide by the speed limits and drive responsibly in order to reduce the number of accidents and damage caused to their own property and that of others.
