Call to tackle R27 ‘death trap’
The three-car pile-up on the R27 in Melkbosstrand on Saturday May 11 that claimed three lives and left six people injured is just the latest in a string of bad crashes on a “death trap” road, and the authorities must act, say residents.
The crash brings to five the number of people killed on the road since the start of the year, says Mobility MEC Ricardo Mackenzie.
On Tuesday March 12, one person was killed and 12 seriously injured when two trucks collided.
And one person was seriously injured in a crash on Monday March 4, according to Arrive Alive.
Milnerton resident Natalie Innes said there appeared to be a lack of public awareness about the number of serious crashes on the road.
A crash at the intersection of the R27 and Boundary Road on Monday night May 20, she said, had been non-fatal but it had backed up traffic for the whole morning and it appeared to be part of a trend.
“The traffic department needs to provide information, and the risk needs to be highlighted. We don’t just want to report each accident, we want to know if anyone is even considering the trend.”
Royal Ascot resident Tanya Louw said she had seen several near misses on the R27.
“I don’t know if the roads are the problem or we just have reckless drivers. If it is the latter, the departments in charge need to be stricter on drivers. They are making it very dangerous for the rest of us. I fear one day that myself or someone I know and love will be part of the statistics of the R27. Someone needs to step up and do something. This road has a history of very serious accidents.”
According to Mr Mackenzie, most of the crashes are due to human error.
“Regular patrols are conducted on this road by traffic law enforcement,” he said, adding that those were done in conjunction with a host of other enforcement and awareness drives.
“Physical operations are complemented by regular social media, billboard, radio and print media communication to raise awareness of road safety and to encourage all road users to be vigilant on our roads.
“Vigilance and personal responsibility by all road users will greatly assist in eliminating inconsiderate and irresponsible driver behaviour. I would also like to send my heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in these fatal traffic crashes.”
Melkbosstrand resident Christie Gray said she knew of many serious accidents on the R27 including a horror crash in June 2021 that claimed eight lives after a truck and taxi collided on the corner of the R27 and Birkenhead Road (“Over R100 000 raised for crash victims,” Tabletalk, August 19, 2021).
“This road is a death trap, I’m telling you. Remember a few years ago when eight people tragically lost their lives because of a reckless taxi driver who collided with a truck? That scene still gives me nightmares to this day. Authorities always promise residents that they will do more after a tragic event like that, but when the dust has settled, nothing is done and we keep seeing the same tragedies all over again. I am grateful for the awareness campaigns, but the departments need to be stricter,” she said.
