Too many wreaths of grief on roads

YESTERDAY, The Herald reported on a church group’s desperate bid to draw the attention of the traffic authorities, when members of a Methodist guild prayed and laid a wreath on the M17 linking Motherwell and Kwazakhele.

There are many sections of road which are dangerous in and around the metro (think of the horrific collision near Nanaga, reported on in yesterday’s paper), but this piece of tar seems to exert a tragically regular toll.

In a year and a half, 20 people have been killed on the M17, which is more than a death a month. In addition, 1 305 accidents were recorded, and who knows how many other collisions or traffic violations went unreported?

Far from criticising the input of prayer from concerned citizens, such as the 200 members of Wesley Guild from the Methodist Church at the weekend, The Herald welcomes the involvement of civic leaders, church figures and other concerned citizens.

While we can only praise the positive message the church group was sending out, however, when it comes to road traffic administration, something more concrete than prayer is called for.

We want action including visible policing, awareness campaigns and a clampdown on unroadworthy vehicles.

We also hope the new “ghost squad” will patrol the M17 with renewed vigour.

It is not news that Dibanisa Road between Motherwell and Kwazakhele is a death trap. It is also not the first time it has received spiritual intervention: six years ago The Herald reported on a traditional cleansing ceremony due to take place there. Since then, accidents and fatalities have continued unabated.

Even our team of journalists picked up dozens of traffic violations while monitoring this road.

It is all very well for the municipality to say it has run road safety awareness campaigns, but we question their efficacy. There are too many roads in our metro where wreaths of grief are laid.