UPDATE: Green light at Springhaas

The Springhaas and JG Strijdom intersection has finally become operational after a serious accident halted progress.

Residents, while happy about the recent upgrades to the intersection, demand that JMPD does their part to keep the community safe. Community members have suggested cameras or the regular presence of JMPD officers at the intersection to urge motorists to follow rules of the road.

The accident involving a school minibus and a motor vehicle resulted in one of the newly renovated traffic lights being knocked down.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation by JMPD, however most accidents at the intersection have been caused by motorists ignoring traffic signals. Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) employee and Roodepoort resident Chad Davies said, “I drive through this intersection almost daily and often I see cars taking a chance and going through a red traffic light.” Davies was driving past the intersection on 19 April and wondered why the new green arrows were not working.

Davies stopped to check the traffic signals and discovered the aftermath of the accident earlier that morning.

A JRA team was deployed after Davies noticed the issue and is pleased to report that the traffic signals are now in working order.

Ward 89 Councillor Ingrid Reinten said, “Citizens have the right to safety and it is the responsibility of the City to ensure citizen’s safety on the road.”

Councillor Reinten exasperatedly added, “It has taken us years to finally get the City’s attention regarding dangerous traffic areas, now JMPD needs to ensure traffic laws are followed by regular policing and cameras.”

Large trucks are a common sight at the intersection. “We cannot expect large trucks to be able to slow down in time when travelling downhill, measures need to be put into place to ensure motorists are kept safe,” commented Councillor Reinten.

JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Edna Mamoyane said, “We have noted the concerns of the community and will deploy an unmarked vehicle to monitor the behaviour of drivers at the intersection.”

“If we find that it is a common occurrence for motorists to break the law by not observing a red traffic light, we will begin issuing fines or worse,” added Supt Mamoyane.

Details: Ward 89 Councillor Ingrid Reinten, joburgward89@gmail.com or 083 440 8343; JRA, hotline@jra.org.za