I noticed on the front page of the Roodepoort Northsider newspaper dated 15 December 2017, the report on how a pedestrian lost her life while she was jogging on the so-called “Death Road” (Hendrik Potgieter Road).
It is extremely shocking and sad, and I wish to express my condolences to the family members left behind by another speeding and reckless driver.
I would like to draw the attention of the road management authorities to the increasing number of road accidents on the West Rand, specifically on Hendrik Potgieter Road.
Many individuals lose their lives or suffer serious injuries because they were knocked down by speeding cars/ taxis or motorcycles.
These drivers often exceed the speed limit or ignore road and stop signs and traffic lights, and drive in the emergency lane. Even worse is that some of them are drunk while driving, as I have witnessed with my own eyes. Cars passing trucks drive straight towards oncoming traffic, which is extremely dangerous
to other road users, pedestrians, cyclists and joggers. Cars and motorcycles racing is the order of the day on Death Road. I keep on raising this issue with the authorities at road blocks but my requesting serious action is just bluntly ignored.
Although there are speed limits and police roadblocks, those measures are not strictly enforced by the authorities.
There should be at least three road block points from Viljoen Street to the N14 crossing and from Viljoen Street to 14th Avenue. The Gauteng High Speed Traffic Unit(s) should be available in unmarked cars on both sides, all with radio contact.
This should be ongoing for at least three months to keep order on the road. There is not one day that we do not hear ambulance sirens.
I propose that the MEC for Transport in Gauteng work with the road authorities, Mayors of Mogale and Johannesburg and get the reckless and speeding drivers under control.
It is also time for the road traffic authorities to take stronger action against reckless drivers, which include heavy fines and forfeiting their licences if they are found guilty of breaking the traffic laws, which in turn should be reported to their insurance companies as a high-risk driver. The road traffic authorities should insist on getting the insurance company details of such culprit(s).
I sincerely hope that the MEC for Transport in Gauteng, Arrive Alive, Road Transport Management, JMPD and the Mogale Traffic Department consider this behaviour unacceptable, and that the most senior responsible parties will take appropriate steps to reprimand the reckless drivers on this road as it is being used as a race track on Friday nights from 10pm, Saturdays from 6am, Saturdays from 10pm and Sundays from 6am.
We have no peace in this area, specifically on weekends.
