High Accident Zone and Report of Hazardous Road

Question

[b][/b] I do not know the relevant person I should be sending this correspondence to, I wish though it will be send to the right person and appropriate actions will be taken. On 22 Sept we were driving from Jhb to Cofimvaba. As we were approaching Queenstown (plus minus 40 km to Queenstown), we were almost involved in a tragic accident. We saw a board which warns motorists that the area is a high accident zone. We approached a high rise and then a curve. As we were coming down there were two cars on the right hand side from a gravel road which were standing waiting to join the main road that we were traveling on. The first car got in which was risky but we thought the driver would give us a space by moving to the yellow line so that we can proceed and he didn’t. Then the second car drove in as well. It was too late for the driver in our car to brake as the 2nd car was already in the middle of the road and it was a curve which is difficult to apply brakes. The speed of the car we were moving at about 100. The driver had to swerve the car to avoid crashing into this car which was in the middle of the road, and also swerve to the other side to avoid crashing into the car which got in 1st and unfortunately, there was oncoming traffic in front which he had to avoid as well. That was the worst situation in my life and if we crashed into that 2nd car, it would have been a fatal accident involving four cars and most probably lives would have been lost. I wish that Arrive Alive campaign or the relevant Department or persons could take cognizance of this. I would like to believe that the fact that it is marked a high accident zone it means that accidents have occurred before. I would like to suggest that there should be speed humps to ensure that the traffic slows down as there might be cars joining the road. I think having the board which states that it’s a high accident zone is not enough, something should be done to ensure that the cars reduce the speed to 60. I am concerned that people are still going to lose their lives in that spot and I strongly feel that something should be done. We were fortunate and others may not be. Hoping you will take my suggestion into consideration. I would be happy to hear if something will be done. [b]

Answer

We at Road Traffic Management Corporation Directorate: Traffic Coordination has received your e-mail regarding the road- Jhb to Cofimvaba as a high accident zone. The above information has been sent to Mr Mabidilala the Provincial head Coordinator to do investigations on the said info you have required. We are currently waiting for his output investigations and we will definitely communicate with you on this matter.