IN a recent survey, more than 120 Richards Bay residents agreed that further safety measures need to be implemented at Meerensee’s Knorhaanbaai intersection to prevent a potentially fatal accident.
Ward councillor Christo Botha conducted a 24-hour online survey inviting residents to share their experiences of the notorious three-way stop.
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Although uMhlathuze Municipality installed speed humps, Botha said these were insufficient, and has called for the installation of traffic lights, which were agreed to last year.
‘Since the road has been widened, I receive calls from residents daily, reporting near-fatal accidents,’ explained Botha.
‘Taxis and buses using the left lane do not stop, but drive straight through.’
He said, having monitored traffic at different times throughout the day, it was evident that ‘very few motorists’ bring their vehicles to a complete stop, and he’d informed the municipality that speed humps were ineffective.
‘The municipality cannot claim ignorance in the event of serious injuries or loss of life – they have been warned,’ said Botha.
Meerensee resident, Daleen Engelbrecht told the ZO she recently had a near-death experience at the intersection when she was almost hit by another vehicle on her way to work.
‘We drive that road every day, and the speed humps are not helping at all as they are not big enough to slow down drivers,’ said Englebrecht.
‘People travelling both directions do not stop.’
She added that, years ago, her husband had been involved in an accident at the same intersection.
City communications officer, Mdu Ncalane confirmed that traffic lights would be installed at the intersection in about two months.
‘Before traffic lights are installed, a process needs to be followed to establish the need, consulting with engineers, finding materials and finalising the cabling.’
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