A Bothasig resident says he is pleased that the City of Cape Town has finally taken steps to improve safety at the De Grendel Avenue traffic circle. The traffic circle has been the spot of several motor vehicle accidents. In some cases lives had been lost.
Justin Smit, a resident, stays opposite the traffic circle and has seen many accidents occur in the area. In an attempt to prevent the accidents from happening, he installed a flashing blue light on his roof.
Safety upgrades have been done the last two weeks.
“I am very pleased regarding the upgrades to the signage. I think I can sleep a bit more peacefully at night now,” he told TygerBurger.
Another crash
Last weekend, just before the flashing lights were installed, a car crashed through his wall. “So the timing could not be better,” he adds.
Smit says most of these accidents are seemingly due to drivers speeding, and being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. “Hopefully bright flashing amber lights will register in their minds before reaching the circle. My flashing blue light did not, but it also is not ideally situated to be seen from further up on Plattekloof Road,” he explains.
He said the driver who drove through his wall two weekends ago at least offered to pay for the repairs.
Miquette Temlett, ward councillor, said flashing warning lights designed to improve visibility and enhance safety for all road users, had been installed. In addition to the lights, the lane guidance signage has been significantly improved to make navigation through the circle much clearer and easier to follow.
‘Respect the rules’
“I’m truly encouraged by these improvements, and I sincerely hope that drivers will take this opportunity to respect the rules of the road when navigating this circle. Please choose your lane carefully, reduce your speed, and stay alert – your caution could save lives. There was also an investigation done about a speed camera, but if and when this is approved and installed, I will not publish this as it will defy the purpose of it,” Temlett said.
The Bothasig Residents Association (BRA) said it is extremely happy about the upgrade because they had fought hard for the improvements at the circle.
Mario Borchards, BRA chair, welcomed the flashing lights. “That should make a big difference. We have been asking for this for nearly three years. There are no excuses, the circle will be extremely visible now.”
Road markings have been freshly painted along with the new signage. According to the BRA reflectors had also been installed around the circle which TygerBurger saw during a visit to the site.
“I think it is great for our community and motorists in general, as it has greatly improved the visibility of the circle. I further hope the City would consider installing speed cameras on the stretch of Plattekloof Road, between Vryburger Avenue and the circle, in both directions. Speeding is a big issue in this 70km/h zone, as well as drag racing at night,” says Smit.
