RESIDENTS who regularly make use of a pedestrian crossing in Da Gama Road, Jeffreys Bay, are at their wits end with speeding drivers who refuse to stop, posing a great risk to road users’ safety.
According to Willem du Preez, the owner of Fonteine Park Pharmacy in Da Gama Road, motorists do not stop or slow down at the pedestrian crossing between his pharmacy and the rooms of Dr Johan Potgieter.
To make matters worse, Du Preez says, vehicles often continue driving despite pedestrians making their way across the crossing which has resulted in multiple near-miss accidents.
“Many customers have come into the pharmacy in shock, after nearly being knocked by a car while crossing the road,” he says.
Unfortunately, despite trying to report the issue multiple times, Du Preez has not been able to get a hold of the correct person who deals with issues regarding pedestrian crossings.
According to Du Preez, the crossing currently does not have any road signs.
He says to resolve the issue he would suggest placing traffic awareness signs for better control or placing a speed bump on the road to slow down vehicles.
“The point is to make people aware of the pedestrian crossings in Da Gama Road before somebody gets run over. We need to encourage people to abide by the traffic laws when they see the clearly painted road sign,” says Du Preez.
In addition to a speed bump and traffic awareness signs, Du Preez says a four-way stop at the Da Gama Road and Impala Street intersection would also help slow down traffic in the area.
According to Kouga Community Services Portfolio Councillor, Daniel Benson, no complaints have been received by the Traffic Department or the Kouga Call Centre about the said pedestrian crossing in Da Gama Road.
Benson says the Da Gama Road is a provincial road, not a municipal road which means the municipality would need to get approval from the Provincial Department of Roads to put in place speed–calming measures.
“Our Traffic Department has contacted the Provincial Department. They too are not aware of complaints and do not have any plans to install speed–calming measures along Da Gama Road at present,” says Benson.
“Should there be a need, however, the municipality will take the matter further.”
He says while their traffic officers patrol Jeffreys Bay daily to help ensure that motorists and pedestrians adhere to road safety regulations, it is also up to everyone to use the roads responsibly.
“We would like to appeal to motorists to be vigilant and considerate when approaching pedestrian crossings,” says Benson.
