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Vehicles pass over the pedestrian crossing outside Fairways Primary School on Corlett Drive. The school is requesting a robot at the crossing in the hope of preventing accidents when pupils cross the road. Picture: Chris Collingridge
If you want a traffic light set up, someone has got to be run over. This is according to the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA).
Fairways Primary School, situated on the corner of Corlett Drive and Irene Road, was told this when it applied for a robot to be installed outside the school.
Traffic travelling to and from Sandton passes past the school – a problem for the children who have to get across the street to the playground via a pedestrian crossing that has no stop streets and no traffic lights.
HORRIBLE ACCIDENT NEEDED
During an e-mail correspondence between the JRA and the school, a Fairways Primary representative was told that the only “solution” to the school’s problem was for a horrible accident to occur at the corner.
The school has been battling the roads agency to put up a traffic light.
Before her retirement in the middle of last year, former councillor Ray Wolder had been in communication with the JRA’s William Mabotja on behalf of the school.
In an e-mail exchange in May last year, Mabotja wrote: “The cost to install a robot is (plus minus) R300 000. The robot that was installed on Corlett cnr Jacob (a few roads up from the school) was due to an old woman being hit by a car. This will be your solution.”
The e-mail shocked the school’s governing body, parents and teachers.
School principal Tracy Rae has said that in the four years she has been at the helm, various parents’ organisations have requested a traffic light from the JRA.
TWO ACCIDENTS REPORTED
In January, two accidents were reported outside the school. No children were hurt.
Collette Saitowitz, a safety and security representative for the school’s governing body, said she had sent countless e-mails to the JRA about the situation since Wolder’s e-mails last year. These had all been ignored.
A petition by the community close to the school and the majority of the parents was sent to the JRA in November, but the school has not had a response.
Cars, taxis and trucks speed along the road at all hours of the day.
Despite repeated attempts to get comment from the JRA, spokesman Thulani Makhubela stopped answering phone calls early yesterday afternoon.
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Anonymous, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
Miss Marley, wrote
The Gecko, wrote
@Peter - Nonsense. Every Tom, Dick and Harry couldn't come up with a good motivation for requesting a robot. That is why there is an application process for getting things like robots installed. Someone must be able to evaluate the merit of applications and obviously an application benefiting only one person will be thrown out. If someone is injured or dies at this crossing, JRE, and specifically the person who indicated that someone has to die first, must be held liable, and charged with either murder or attempted murder, depending on whether or not the victim survives. Surely, the mere statement that someone has to be run over indicates intent?
Riaan, wrote
We all know that our gov is a mess,but we all know aswell that we as a community do share the blame,yes its always easire to blame the gov,but the very reckless and inconsiderate drivers are us.Those kids are not only in danger of the headless taxi drivers,but us as well,so until we can all drive on the freeway without some idiots driving 80 in the fastlane or idiots who change lanes without indicating or idiots who just cut infront of people and see no danger in doing so,we cannot entirely blame the goverment
Prue, wrote
This is a terrible terrible situation, I really hope that those in power will sit up and do something about it. They should be protecting the public not waiting for an accident to happen. @Democrat, lets stop the political fighting and blaming (its eventually leads to one race against another which is counterproductive) this party or that party. Individual people are doing this not a party. Lets all just work together to bring about change regardless of which party is in power. As South African citizens we have the power to bring about change.
Anonymous, wrote
So a horrible accident must happen first – SHOCKING! How is the logic though because the people involved in this horrible accident could then claim for the Road Accident Fund and that could cost millions AND the R300k they have to then pay for the light.
Anonymous, wrote
R 300 000 for a robot is an absolute rip off. I am sure that the temporary robots they use on building sites do not cost more that R 5000. After all its only a steel pipe and a couple of lights. Make it a stand alone unit. I wonder how many palms get greased on a R 300000 robot ?
Neil, wrote
Time to fire the moron that made that comment and put someone with a brain (and a matric hopefully?) in place...
Peter, wrote
as cruel as its sound,its the only way,otherwise every tom dick and harry would justify why they need robots outside thier houses
Anonymous, wrote
mdk, wrote
This is part of South African exceptionalism. If you want something you have to have a very sad story. It keeps happening with RDP houses being "given" to people who have lived through terrible experiences. ala Caster Semenya...
vkdk, wrote
The situation there is terrible - glad it has been exposed to the press. However the arrogance of not answering phones and silly response leads me to belive that morons are running the show. Perhaps if the community put money together - R300K isnt a lot - the problem would be addressed, or maybe a lower bribe fee might be the last hope, sure to work. But we shouldnt lower our standards just raise R300K.
democrat, wrote
So, this is democracy, ANC-style. Don't respond to requests and enquiries, and when you do, suggest that somebody must first die before you'll take action. They are an abhorrent crew and must be voted out of office and into oblivion asap.
karen, wrote
My son attended fairways 7 years ago - it was a dice with death to get him across Corlett Drive as drivers have absolutely no respect for the officers on duty or the zebra crossing!
SUNIL, wrote
is this what the government think of our future generation? Does some one have to die at that spot for them to take a decision and erect a robot?little do you realise that if a child has to be killed at that spot , the parent will sue your department and the RTA for millions and ofcourse you prefer spending that than preventing one life and saving a fortune.
ian, wrote
Typical of everthing under this ANC led government. It has to go WRONG before they do anything.
collywolly, wrote
You only realised this now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This country is headig one way!!!!! for a major pile up!!!
Motsholathebe Maff, wrote
Ja ne, so plus minus 300 000 rands is the cost of someone's life, let's give his children a good runover.
Pierre, wrote
Is this not a case of attempted murder by JRA as per the taxi driver case at the level crossing in the Cape?
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