The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) warns motorists to refrain from tampering with barricaded accident and roadwork areas.
In a statement from the agency, it said it is greatly concerned about the growing trend throughout the city to intentionally remove barricades used to cordon off accident and other roadwork areas. This activity has gained momentum since the beginning of the torrential downpour over the last weekend.
“As a result of tampering with barricaded areas, a number of motorists found themselves involved in accidents, either by driving into the exposed accident or roadwork areas or colliding with other vehicles. All of these incidents could be avoided should there be visible barricades in place.”
The agency added that the dismantling of barricades hampers and slows down service delivery since repeated accidents in one specific area further worsen the state of the accident or roadwork area.
The agency said that the placement of barricades is not intended to inconvenience anyone, but rather to make roads user-friendly and prevent the occurrence of further accidents.
Barricades also have the following functions:
- It ensures safe work zones for contractors carrying out roadwork
- It prevents traffic interference or disturbances to work sites
- It minimises vehicular and pedestrian accidents caused by open site works
- It makes it easy for road users to respond to accidents and avoid potential accidents
- It provides road users with required caution in accident-prone areas.
The JRA also appealed to other entities and departments within the City to ensure that proper and visible barricading is implemented at all work sites around the City, in order to avoid accidents.
If you witness the dismantling of JRA or any other entities’ branded accident or roadwork barricades, please contact the JMPD on 086 056 2874.
