MORE than a year has passed and there is still no outcome regarding the deadly crash that claimed the lives of three people who burned beyond recognition on the R61 toll road near Shelly Beach.
Motorists are still ignoring the calls that making U-turns on a highway, especially on the R61 toll road, is both dangerous and illegal. In previous reports the justice department had warned motorists that anyone caught making an illegal U-turn on a highway could face charges of murder. Well, some motorists can’t be bothered and make these illegal U-turns to avoid paying the R8.50 toll fee.
The Democratic Alliance, Ugu South Constituency, is concerned by the continuing inaction by both SANRAL and the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) to prevent illegal U-turns at this stretch of road.
The community is also up in arms after numerous fatal accidents and several near misses due to these illegal practices.
Dr Rishigen Viranna, MPL for the Ugu South Constituency, said he has raised the problem with his colleagues in the National Assembly, Mannie de Freitas MP and Rafeek Shah MPL.
“We have sent much correspondence to the relevant government bodies. We have received email correspondence from SANRAL to the effect that, while there are plans for R61 upgrades, construction will only start in 20-24 months due to budgetary constraints.” he said.
“We also find that problems within the Port Shepstone branch of Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) are affecting the patrolling and enforcement of traffic laws at the off-ramp. This despite numerous assurances from the HOD of the Department of Transport that it would activate local RTI efforts. This has failed to occur.
It is obvious that the RTI does not have the situation under control, – Dr Rishigen Viranna.
He said the DA would be calling for more civic action to force the government’s hand. “We will be putting together a petition to submit to the National Assembly to force government and SANRAL to start R61 upgrades. We are calling for upgrades similar to those at the N2 ramp toll plazas on the Kwa-Zulu Natal North Coast. These upgrades have prevented similar illegal activities and accidents there.”
Regarding the Easter accident, police have said that the docket has not been sent to court as investigations are still continuing.
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