Putting a brake on speed
As from tomorrow, motorists will not be allowed to drive faster than 80km per hour on the Western Bypass after the maximum speed limit on the road was been reduced.
The reduction in speed means that the road has been downgraded from a freeway to a dual carriageway.
Over the past few years, there have been repeated calls from the Windhoek City Police and other stakeholders to reduce the speed limit and upgrade the road infrastructure.
The announcement finally came last week that the maximum speed limit of 120km had been reduced to 80km/hour in an effort to curb the road fatalities and accidents on the route.
The reduction in the speed limit on the Western Bypass on the section starting from Academia up to the Monte Cristo road bridge has however been both welcomed and criticised by the public.
While some say that the reduced speed will definitely have an impact on the increasing accidents on the road while others are worried that a slower speed limit will have a negative impact, causing impatience among motorists.
The Western Bypass has been the scene of numerous fatalities involving pedestrians and vehicles over the years.
In 2015 there were 296 accidents on the Western Bypass, claiming the lives of eight people, while 97 people were injured and 13 pedestrians were also insured.
Last year 275 accidents took place on the Western Bypass and seven people were killed while 179 people were injured and 13 pedestrians injured.
Other changes planned on the Western Bypass are level intersections near the University of Namibia which will be converted into a four-way stop intersection with relevant signage which will be erected to inform road users.
Longer-term plans are also to erect rumble strips on the approaches to the new University of Namibia four-way intersection with relevant signage. This is aimed to be implemented within a month.
Rumble strips are also to be erected on the approaches to the access of the Windhoek Country Club Resort and Casino while random rumble strips will be erected at distances along the Western Bypass.
Other changes to the bypass include closing illegal access points in Pioniers Park, Academia Extension 1 and Pioniers Park Extension 1, as well as Dortmund, Palladium and Hegel Street.
Those that are concerned about these access points being closed can submit written complaints to the Roads Authority.
With regards to pedestrians a decision was taken to implement structures such as footbridges and tunnels of which the design still has to take place.
Further recommendations are to provide physical barriers to prevent U-turn crossings of vehicles and pedestrians from crossing the road. This should go hand in hand where pedestrian bridges are proposed.
ELLANIE SMIT
The reduction in speed means that the road has been downgraded from a freeway to a dual carriageway.
Over the past few years, there have been repeated calls from the Windhoek City Police and other stakeholders to reduce the speed limit and upgrade the road infrastructure.
The announcement finally came last week that the maximum speed limit of 120km had been reduced to 80km/hour in an effort to curb the road fatalities and accidents on the route.
The reduction in the speed limit on the Western Bypass on the section starting from Academia up to the Monte Cristo road bridge has however been both welcomed and criticised by the public.
While some say that the reduced speed will definitely have an impact on the increasing accidents on the road while others are worried that a slower speed limit will have a negative impact, causing impatience among motorists.
The Western Bypass has been the scene of numerous fatalities involving pedestrians and vehicles over the years.
In 2015 there were 296 accidents on the Western Bypass, claiming the lives of eight people, while 97 people were injured and 13 pedestrians were also insured.
Last year 275 accidents took place on the Western Bypass and seven people were killed while 179 people were injured and 13 pedestrians injured.
Other changes planned on the Western Bypass are level intersections near the University of Namibia which will be converted into a four-way stop intersection with relevant signage which will be erected to inform road users.
Longer-term plans are also to erect rumble strips on the approaches to the new University of Namibia four-way intersection with relevant signage. This is aimed to be implemented within a month.
Rumble strips are also to be erected on the approaches to the access of the Windhoek Country Club Resort and Casino while random rumble strips will be erected at distances along the Western Bypass.
Other changes to the bypass include closing illegal access points in Pioniers Park, Academia Extension 1 and Pioniers Park Extension 1, as well as Dortmund, Palladium and Hegel Street.
Those that are concerned about these access points being closed can submit written complaints to the Roads Authority.
With regards to pedestrians a decision was taken to implement structures such as footbridges and tunnels of which the design still has to take place.
Further recommendations are to provide physical barriers to prevent U-turn crossings of vehicles and pedestrians from crossing the road. This should go hand in hand where pedestrian bridges are proposed.
ELLANIE SMIT
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