Concerns that Settlers Way is a “pile-up waiting to happen” were intensified yesterday morning when a vehicle smashed into three oncoming vehicles near the Biko Bridge causing a rush-hour logjam.
Although there were no serious injuries, according to Arrive Alive Eastern Cape spokesman Tshepo Machaea, the collision amplified the alarmed voices of residents, businesses and schools situated on and near the road, who are calling for urgent traffic interventions along the road.
They said cars and courier vehicles speeding for the airport, trucks stopping on the shoulder of the road, hurtling taxis and vehicles ignoring red traffic lights, were a potent mix that contributed to the dangers of Settlers Way.
“There are three schools on the stretch of road between the city centre and the airport, yet vehicles speed through red traffic lights at intersections where schoolchildren cross the road. It is stressing me out because their lives are at risk,” said Sunnyridge resident Peter de Vries.
“Putting permanent traffic cameras up would not be a waste of money. We are going to lose children and families if something is not done. It is a pile-up waiting to happen.”
George Randell High School principal Cassie Grobler said his school no longer maintained scholar patrols on the intersection of Settlers and Clovelly roads due to treacherous traffic conditions. “About four years ago one of our girls was badly hurt and nearly lost her leg. It is too dangerous to have a scholar patrol there because children have to jump out of the way.
“We also can’t have teachers there because of the cars skidding past them. People just drive through the red robots,” said Grobler, who called for pedestrian bridges to be built.
He said big rigs and trucks which parked along the shoulder of the road were also a potential hazard.
“They stop to rest and to buy food at the supermarket, but they obscure the view of the traffic and schoolchildren have to stand in the road to see if cars are coming.”
Grobler said that, at one time, prostitutes would wait for the trucks to stop and that no parking signs were being ignored by the drivers. “I feel nervous every day that pupils could be killed because they have to cross the road to catch taxis or to walk to their homes,” he said.
Pick n Pay Greenfields owner Don Iandoli said he was afraid that vehicles speeding through the intersections on Settlers Way would cause “something serious” to happen.
Debi-Lee Spar co-owner Debi-Lee Morgan said one of her staff members had almost been “flattened by a truck” at the Settlers/Camden Road intersection.
“We never drive forward when the light changes to green – we first edge forward because some drivers have no regard for the law. It is a very, very dangerous crossing. I don’t want to be a doomsayer, but something serious is going to happen.”
Former Ward 46 community policing forum (CPF) chairwoman Suzette Roberson said motorists should report trucks who broke the rules of the road to their employers.
“Trucks are the main problem. I was part of the CPF that organised no parking signs on the side of the road, but they still park there and obstruct traffic.”
Arrive Alive spokesman Tshepo Machaea said Settlers Way was especially busy at peak times.
“It is a very busy road and we urge people to drive carefully. People rushing to the airport also pose and danger so we ask them to rather manage their time.”
BCM did not respond at the time of going to print. – barbarah@dispatch.co.za
Red lights flash over Settlers Way
Although there were no serious injuries, according to Arrive Alive Eastern Cape spokesman Tshepo Machaea, the collision amplified the alarmed voices of residents, businesses and schools situated on and near the road, who are calling for urgent traffic interventions along the road.
They said cars and courier vehicles speeding for the airport, trucks stopping on the shoulder of the road, hurtling taxis and vehicles ignoring red traffic lights, were a potent mix that contributed to the dangers of Settlers Way.
“There are three schools on the stretch of road between the city centre and the airport, yet vehicles speed through red traffic lights at intersections where schoolchildren cross the road. It is stressing me out because their lives are at risk,” said Sunnyridge resident Peter de Vries.
“Putting permanent traffic cameras up would not be a waste of money. We are going to lose children and families if something is not done. It is a pile-up waiting to happen.”
George Randell High School principal Cassie Grobler said his school no longer maintained scholar patrols on the intersection of Settlers and Clovelly roads due to treacherous traffic conditions. “About four years ago one of our girls was badly hurt and nearly lost her leg. It is too dangerous to have a scholar patrol there because children have to jump out of the way.
“We also can’t have teachers there because of the cars skidding past them. People just drive through the red robots,” said Grobler, who called for pedestrian bridges to be built.
He said big rigs and trucks which parked along the shoulder of the road were also a potential hazard.
“They stop to rest and to buy food at the supermarket, but they obscure the view of the traffic and schoolchildren have to stand in the road to see if cars are coming.”
Grobler said that, at one time, prostitutes would wait for the trucks to stop and that no parking signs were being ignored by the drivers. “I feel nervous every day that pupils could be killed because they have to cross the road to catch taxis or to walk to their homes,” he said.
Pick n Pay Greenfields owner Don Iandoli said he was afraid that vehicles speeding through the intersections on Settlers Way would cause “something serious” to happen.
Debi-Lee Spar co-owner Debi-Lee Morgan said one of her staff members had almost been “flattened by a truck” at the Settlers/Camden Road intersection.
“We never drive forward when the light changes to green – we first edge forward because some drivers have no regard for the law. It is a very, very dangerous crossing. I don’t want to be a doomsayer, but something serious is going to happen.”
Former Ward 46 community policing forum (CPF) chairwoman Suzette Roberson said motorists should report trucks who broke the rules of the road to their employers.
“Trucks are the main problem. I was part of the CPF that organised no parking signs on the side of the road, but they still park there and obstruct traffic.”
Arrive Alive spokesman Tshepo Machaea said Settlers Way was especially busy at peak times.
“It is a very busy road and we urge people to drive carefully. People rushing to the airport also pose and danger so we ask them to rather manage their time.”
BCM did not respond at the time of going to print. – barbarah@dispatch.co.za
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