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SafetyAlert

Crossing of death

A view of the 'Crossing of Death'. Do your drivers use this route? If so, please warn them of the dangers lurking at this crossing.

A concerned reader has written to FleetWatch urging us to warn operators of a dangerous intersection in Pretoria East known as the 'Crossing of Death'. The crossing is the intersection of Garstfontein Drive and Hans Strijdom Road and has been the scene of many accidents involving trucks.

According to Marinda le Roux of BKS Environmental Management, the nickname is a well earned one. "I do not know how many accidents take place each month but every week as I turn from Garstfontein into Hans Strijdom Road, I notice yet another heap of broken glass and other motor parts on the sidewalk, or in the middle of the road," she writes, adding that quite a few wreaths have been placed on the corner in honour of those who have lost their lives here.

"The problem is created mostly by vehicles speeding downhill in Hans Strijdom Road between the intersection of General Louis Botha and Garstfontein Drive, in the direction of Atterbury Road further downhill. Another problem is the failing of brakes of trucks on this downhill."

Marinda has asked FleetWatch to notify all operators who in turn can notify their drivers of this 'Hot Spot' so as to try resolve the problem and prevent further accidents.

A report in a local newspaper - written as far back as June last year - documented a litany of injuries and deaths resulting from accidents at this intersection, mainly involving trucks. In May last year, five people were killed and three injured in two truck accidents within an hour of each other at the same spot. While emergency personnel were tending to the one accident, another truck slammed into the vehicles. In April, nine people were injured in similar circumstances. 

In June, five people were injured at the intersection when yet another truck smashed into traffic after its brakes apparently failed. The truck, transporting 28 tons of cement, came to a stop more than 1km down the road, leaving behind mangled car wrecks.

One local resident was quoted in the report as saying: "I can hear the accidents from my house. This has become a nightmare. Something drastic has to be done to stop the accidents,"
 

Quite a few wreaths have been placed on the corner in honour of those who have lost their lives here.

Disturbing
What FleetWatch finds disturbing is that these accidents have been taking place over the past year with seemingly no 'engineering' alterations made to improve the safety situation at the intersection.

In January this year, the Minister of Transport Jeff Radebe, delivered his Traffic Report for the December 2006 to January 2007 Arrive Alive Festive Season. One issue he mentioned is of relevance to the above case. I quote from his presentation:

"As you all know, we have launched South Africa's comprehensive new road safety strategy which we have called The Road Safety Strategy. The strategy is about getting to grips with the underlying causes of crashes and deaths on our roads. It looks at systems and structures and proposes a wide range of interlinked investment programmes and reform actions to radically improve the safety of the total road environment," he said, adding that government will therefore invest in creating better, more responsible drivers and educated, road-conscious pedestrians.

And here's crux: "We will introduce strong measures to improve vehicle safety and will upgrade the condition of our road network where it counts most, starting with remedial engineering works and improved signage at the most critical hazardous locations that the provinces have already identified," said Minister Radebe.

It is obvious that the Garstfontein Drive/Hans Strijdom Road intersection just has to be a target for either remedial works and/or road signage. It is a critical, hazardous location that has already been identified as such. All that's needed now it to put the Minister's policy into action.

FleetWatch will forward this case to the relevant authorities for feedback and in the meantime, we urge all transporters whose drivers operate in this area to be extra cautious.

And a big thank you to Marinda le Roux for her public spiritedness in not only bringing this 'hot spot' to the industry's attention via FleetWatch, but also for going the extra mile by going out and, on our request, taking the accompanying photographs. Thank you.