Water dispersal enhanced on N2 crash-risk bridge
The changed weather patterns cause a puddle to accumulate at the lowest end.
In an effort to address numerous recent accidents in the vicinity of the Amanzimtoti River bridge, a meeting was facilitated on Wednesday, 5 October with the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL), municipal stormwater, paramedics and the towing fraternity.
In the third such crash in as many weeks, a car plunged into the Amanzimtoti River at midnight on Friday night, 30 September. Tragically, the driver was submerged under water in the car and drowned.
On Saturday afternoon, 17 September a woman passenger died after the vehicle she was travelling in struck the bridge on the N2 northbound carriageway.
Similarly, a driver was fortunate to survive after his bakkie veered off the waterlogged N2 highway and plunged into the river on the same day.
In all three incidents took place in wet weather.
Read also: 5 Wet weather driving mistakes to avoid
“While all drains from the N2 were found open, there was consensus that the changed weather patterns cause a puddle to accumulate at the lowest end where the road makes a kink,” said ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge, who initiated the meeting.
Drivers approach the lower end of the hill at excessive speeds in rainy weather
“Drivers, however approach the lower end of the hill at speeds in excess of what would be expected, especially in rainy weather, coupled with the illusion that the road continues in a straight trajectory, thereby either over-compensating or taking to excessive braking upon engaging the puddle.”
Mitre cuts to alleviate and re-direct downward flow into the open channel between Reed Road and the N2 were administered on Thursday, 6 October and new barriers with support that were damaged during previous accidents were replaced, along with new supports on Friday.
Read also: Tips on driving in wet weather
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