Pensioner (74) killed in Bluff hit and run

STRUGGLING to come to terms with the gruesome death of 74-year-old volunteer at Cheshire Homes, Constance Dawson Peters, who was involved in a hit and run with a taxi on Bluff Road, her family is urging motorists to drive within the speed limit as the number of pedestrians killed in the area in recent months increased.

Peters was walking home from a friends’ funeral just after 17:00 on Tuesday, July 12, when she was knocked over as she crossed the road at the section below Spar. The driver of the Hilux did not stop. Peters was then allegedly hit by a second vehicle after her body landed in the opposite lane, leaving her dead on impact.
Chantelle Armstrong, Peters’ daughter, said reckless and negligent driving, as well as speeding, was a major cause for concern on Bluff Road, and called for speed calming measures as they refused for Peters to be added as a statistic with nothing being done to avoid pedestrian related deaths on the road.

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“This should be classified as culpable homicide. We were shocked that although there were about five police vans at the scene, when we got to the police station three days later on Friday, July15, police could not find a case number or even an occurrence book entry relating to the accident. Although the driver sped off, his number plate was left at the scene and we managed to find information about his whereabouts and identity, so we can not understand why he was not questioned or why we have been left in the dark,” said Armstrong.
Peters sister, Dolores Dawson, 61, described Peters, who was the eldest among their siblings, as the most fit and street smart person who would go the extra mile to help others.

“Her physical fitness levels would amaze us. She was an outgoing person and shared her skills as a seamstress while being a volunteer at Cheshire Homes in Wentworth, where she taught residents how to sew. She also loved spending time with her eight grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren,” said Dawson.
Meanwhile, residents living along Bluff Road are calling for authorities to implement either speed calming measures or surveillance cameras to deter motorists from speeding, which has led to an increase in accidents and pedestrians being killed in the busy area.

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Ward councillor for the area, Zoë Solomon, said she was aware of the number of accidents and deaths along the road, and added that eThekwini Transport Authority traffic calming policy hinders ward specific road issues.
Solomon reiterated that the Bluff has specific spots on lengths of the same roads where accidents occur, resulting in death and damage to residents property.
“Also, speedsters cause noise disturbance on many stretches. Upon consultation with the officials for intervention on four occasions for our ward in 18 months, all requests were denied according to the national framework of the policy. Effectiveness of speed timing prosecution by cameras is hindered due to the municipality being in a legal battle with a contractor that they used to implement speed prosecution by camera. The city paid commissions for fining and the National Prosecuting Authority ordered the city to cancel the contract as this is illegal practice. Now, we are hamstrung on a local level and throughout the city, where speedsters and lawbreakers are causing deaths of innocent bystanders daily,” said Solomon.
Always trying different ways to improve the community, Solomon says having annual access to community improvement project funding is about the only way as a councillor, that she can implement the expenditure of funds to speed humps.
“Sadly, the new budget has cut this funding by two thirds, and at R30 000 per speed hump, the priorities for truck traffic issues and fencing for security and prevention on land invasion are all vying for the limited funds made available to me,” Solomon added.

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