Montclair residents voice concern over increased motor vehicle accidents

MONTCLAIR has been witnessing a worrying surge in motor vehicle accidents, particularly on Kenyon Howden Road.

Also read: Driver dies in freak car accident in Montclair

The increased reports of accidents in the area highlighted the severity of the situation. According to Kerri van Wyk, the interim public relations officer of the Montwood sub-forum, the first incident involved a near collision between a taxi and another vehicle. The speeding taxi caused the other vehicle to swerve onto the pavement, landing in someone’s yard. Fortunately, the resulting injuries were minor.

This incident follows another tragic occurrence where a single-vehicle accident claimed the life of the driver. The vehicle reportedly lost control, overturned multiple times and collided with a tree along Kenyon Howden Road. Despite efforts by ALS Paramedics Medical Services and the eThekwini Fire Department, the driver, a man believed to be in his thirties, succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Garrith Jamieson, spokesperson for ALS Paramedics Medical Services, emphasised the challenges faced by paramedics in such situations. Ward 64 councillor Gavin Hegter urged for a collective effort in promoting road safety, emphasising the need for individuals to reflect on their driving behaviour.

Hegter lamented the prevailing lawlessness on Montclair’s roads, attributing many accidents to excessive speeding. He pointed out the lack of speed-timing equipment and a shortage of metro police as contributing factors to the disregard for traffic laws.

Addressing concerns about implementing speed-calming measures like speed humps, Hegter said there are legal constraints that intervene, such as speed humps, that are not permissible on most main roads.

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