The City’s Transport Network Facilitation and Development Department has reduced the speed limit along Otto du Plessis Drive between Dolphin Beach Hotel and Sir David Baird to 50km/h in the interest of traffic safety, with a special focus on pedestrian and non-motorised vulnerable road users.
Also read: Here is why President Cyril Ramaphosa is meeting with US President today
According to the City of Cape Town, the new speed limit applies with immediate effect, now that the signage has been installed.
The 50km/h speed limit will require drivers to adjust their travelling speed accordingly. Traffic Services will implement ad-hoc enforcement interventions in the interest of improving road safety for all road users along that section of the roadway.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas says they have been receiving numerous complaints and requests to consider speed control measures along Otto Du Plessis Drive.
“However, this roadway is classified as a higher order mobility route which, in terms of the City of Cape Town’s Traffic Calming Policy, would not qualify for any raised traffic calming measures due to the high volume of vehicular traffic, including public transport vehicles,” said Quintas.
Also read: Attention pedestrians: City installs traffic measures for safer roads in south region
Keeping top of mind that the beachfront attracts high numbers of pedestrians and other non-motorised modes, the speed limit has been reduced to 50km/h in the interests of pedestrian safety.
“We have strived to implement these as soon as possible, in time for the summer season,” he said.
Furthermore, the safety of pedestrians is the key focus of this implementation.
The Councillor highlighted pedestrian safety measures by saying: “We have already implemented numerous measures to improve pedestrian safety along this route by signalising the yield controlled pedestrian crossings which were carrying higher pedestrian volumes.”
“Driver behaviour remains a key factor over which each motorist has direct control and must take responsibility for it. I want to warn motorists that would seek to disregard the signage – recklessness will not be tolerated. We have our eyes on you and we will not hesitate to enforce the laws, in the interest of the safety of all road users,” said Quintas.
Also read:
New UK cycling rules: should the same apply to South African cyclists?
Picture: Unsplash