Residents along Ouklip Road have suggested stricter traffic laws and extensive police presence after another two lives were lost this past weekend.
One of the suggestions is that the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) should set up roadblocks late at night, especially between 11pm and 6am on weekends, and arrest those under the influence of intoxicating substances.
Residents also want permanent speed traps along the road and asked that the current speed limit be reduced from 60km/h to 40km/h.
“You will notice the police setting up roadblocks during the day, but the terrible accidents occur at night and in the early morning when people return from entertainment venues,” a resident on Ouklip Road for more than 20 years told the Record.
This resident also sent an e-mail to the JMPD stating, “I hope you as the police can help our neighbourhood. It’s just getting worse and worse”.
Another concern to residents is that someone might crash into the Huggy Bear Nursery School, which is only three houses away from where Oosthuizen and Botha died.
“Why does something tragic have to happen before something is done? How many more lives should be lost before the authorities wake up?”
Taking the neighbourhood’s concerns into consideration, the Record has submitted the following questions to the JMPD and is awaiting their feedback:
1. Residents on Ouklip Road ask for stricter police presence especially from 11pm onwards on weekends. Is this possible? If yes, how strict will laws be enforced and if not, why can the JMPD not be stricter?
2. Residents are aware of a new entertainment venue situated along Ouklip Road that attracts many youngsters. What can be done to ensure that they do not drive in an intoxicated state?
3. Residents also want permanent speed cameras in place and they want the speed limit to be reduced from 60km/h to 40km/h. Can all this be done?
4. Residents feel that the JMPD traps and has roadblocks at the wrong places and times. They want the JMPD along smaller roads and not just main roads. Is this possible? If not, why not? If yes, to what extreme will you go?
5. With the accident that claimed the lives of Oosthuizen and Botha being an example of possible speeding, and drinking and driving, can you as the JMPD spokesperson warn motorists of the dangers involved?
6. There are fears that one day someone will crash into a nursery school on Ouklip Road. What needs to happen before police actually does something about drunk drivers and speeding?
