[Image: Wikimedia Commons]
The City of Cape Town has finally decided to tackle the chaos unfolding on Kloof Nek Road, a stretch now less of a road and more of a crash-test runway.
The once-scenic route has built up a rep for being an accident magnet, racking up so many crashes it might as well have a loyalty card system.
Case in point: on Saturday, 12 October, a tour bus went rogue, smashing into two vehicles and a wall. Just a couple of weeks before that, on Thursday, 26 September, a cement truck lost the plot completely, careening into at least 17 cars before burying its nose in a wall. Concrete evidence, if you will, that something needs to change.
According to the Weekend Argus, over a three-year stretch, there were more than 365 reported vehicle crashes on the road, involving a staggering 722 drivers. That’s a flaming red banner that says ‘Get it together’, nevermind a red flag.
Now, the City’s Urban Mobility Directorate has stepped in with plans to “mitigate the impact of errant vehicles”. They’re looking at putting up safety nets for all the trucks and buses treating the road like a luge track.
They’re currently running a feasibility study to see where they can plonk down some arrestor beds – think of them as runaway-truck sandpits – at key points along the route.
While that’s in the works, 18 bright yellow “Stay in Low Gear” signs have gone up, presumably because “Please don’t kill anyone” doesn’t fit neatly on a board.
Mayco Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas, explained: “Kloof Nek Road is a Class 2 Major Arterial route, meaning it is an important access route that carries large volumes of traffic.
Despite numerous requests, the City cannot restrict heavy vehicles given the functional classification of the road, and due to the fact that there are a limited number of access roads to and from the CBD area to the Camps Bay area and beyond,” he said.
In other words, the trucks are here to stay, but they better behave.
The speed limit along Kloof Nek Road is 50km/h in both directions. But let’s talk stats: the City’s recent speed investigation showed heavy vehicles were clocking in at 51km/h downhill (northbound) and 47km/h uphill (southbound). Light vehicles? A bit friskier, averaging 57km/h northbound and 56km/h southbound.
Apparently, most folks are sticking to the limit, though there are always a few who fancy themselves Fast & Furious: Kloof Nek Drift.
Quintas added: “At certain locations along Kloof Nek Road the gradient is as steep as 14%. It is the responsibility of each motorist to watch their speed and to ensure that their vehicle is roadworthy.
By adhering to the new signs as well as ensuring your vehicle is fit to be on the road, you can ensure your safety, as well as the safety of other road users on the road. We can significantly improve road safety if we all play our part, adhere to the speed limit and be cautious,” said Quintas.
Wise words, because with that kind of incline, Kloof Nek doesn’t forgive.
One loose brake and you’re starring in your own action movie. Best keep it in low gear and your eyes on the road.
[Source: IOL]
