Additional safety measures are being considered for Cape Town’s Kloof Nek Road after a cement truck lost control last Thursday, crashing into 17 vehicles and raising concerns over road safety, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Also read: Video: Footage of terrible Kloof Nek truck accident goes viral
The truck, having lost its brakes, sped into oncoming traffic to avoid rear-ending cars in its lane, but after hitting a Kia, it crashed into a line of parked vehicles.
Watch here:
Cement truck loses control on steep Cape Town road, injuring at least 10 and causing power outage. pic.twitter.com/JgThPwxxX4
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Ward 77 councillor Francine Higham shared in a Facebook post that, while no fatalities have been reported so far, one person remains in critical condition following the accident.
‘I was at the scene of the accident on Thursday evening and saw for myself the destruction caused by the truck that lost control on Kloof Nek Road. The trauma, the cost, and the damage to property can’t be ignored.’
Higham noted that measures were implemented following an incident last September to enhance safety on Kloof Nek Road.
The speed limit was reduced from 60kph to 50kph, with updated signage and warning lights, including on the Camps Bay Drive approach.
The speed camera was repaired after an electrical fault, and new signage near the top of the road advises truck drivers to gear down on steep declines.
A signalised pedestrian crossing was also installed at the intersection of Tafelberg Road and Signal Hill Drive.
The signalised crossing improves pedestrian safety, reduces congestion for vehicles exiting Tafelberg Road or Signal Hill Drive, and slows traffic from Camps Bay.
Suggestions for speed bumps have been dismissed due to Kloof Nek Road’s classification as a Class 2 Major Arterial and its steep gradient, which could make speed bumps hazardous.
Higham noted that banning trucks on Kloof Nek Road isn’t feasible, as it is a key route for construction vehicles and deliveries to the City Bowl, CBD, and Atlantic Seaboard.
Redirecting them to the coastal road would significantly worsen traffic congestion there.
‘That being said, we are working to identify additional opportunities to implement speed reduction and road safety measures, but ultimately we also have to recognise that the cause of many of the vehicle accidents on our roads is due to driver behaviour and vehicle roadworthiness,’ Higham added.
Higham stated that discussions with the Urban Mobility Department and Traffic Enforcement are ongoing to explore further safety interventions for Kloof Nek Road, and residents will be updated as new information emerges.
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