Cameras helping to curb speed
2003-12-24 08:40
Pietermaritzburg - New state-of-the-art, multi-function cameras installed on the N3 between Pietermaritzburg and Durban have caught 12 871 motorists speeding since the beginning of the month.
Road Traffic Inspectorate spokesperson Logan Maistry said nine fixed cameras were installed at five different sites.
At four locations, a camera watches each carriageway. The sites are: Westmead near the Mariannhill toll plaza, Ashburton, the New England Road by-pass and at the Midlands Mall. A single camera scans the south-bound carriageway at Van Reenen's Pass.
Transport MEC S'bu Ndebele said the cameras have been very successful in influencing drivers to stick to the speed limit.
Maistry said 1 065 865 vehicles passed New England Road between November 7 and December 7, a daily average of 34 407. The highest volume of the traffic was 3 506 vehicles per hour.
He said the New England Road cameras caused a 70% reduction in speed violations on the north-bound carriageway and a 54% reduction on the south-bound carriageway.
"Apart from calming traffic, the cameras can simultaneously count vehicles, count vehicles exceeding the speed limits as well as count the number of vehicles contravening the permissible safe following distance," said Maistry.
The cameras are a six-month pilot installation and the RTI will report to other traffic authorities on their effectiveness.
Meanwhile, RTI spokesperson Rajen Chinaboo said more Gauteng drivers than KwaZulu-Natal drivers are supporting Project Visibility by putting their headlights on during the day.
Chinaboo explained that a car with its headlights on is more visible to other drivers and pedestrians, especially if the car is a dark colour.
A large number of motorists interviewed by the Witness yesterday said Project Visibility is a good idea but they forget to put their headlights on.
"It is silly of me not to put my headlights on, but old habits die hard," said Howick resident George Benson.
Jack Jadoo said he always puts his headlights on since Project Visibility was launched.
However, Melanie Kuhn said using your headlights will not by itself improve safety.
"I don't believe that would stop accidents. Driving carefully and sensibly will," she said, adding that she does put her headlights on in dull weather.