Traffic fines penalise parents trying to keep their children safe

Paul van Heerden, Bothasig

I am writing regarding the traffic fines currently being imposed on motorists along Elbrecht Street in Bothasig. This issue has become a significant concern for residents, parents, and commuters, and I believe it warrants the attention of the wider community.

Elbrecht Street is a key thoroughfare, especially during school hours, as it is used by many parents for dropping off and collecting their children from Bosmansdam Primary School.

Established in 1960, the school pre-dates the development of the houses along Elbrecht Street. Over the years, as the neighbourhood has grown, traffic patterns have shifted. During peak times, particularly at drop-off and pick-up times, the street becomes very congested with parents stopping to safely let their children out or pick them up. Unfortunately, this has resulted in an increase in parking violations, especially near the school.

One of the main challenges is the solid red line that runs along the entire one side of Elbrecht Street, opposite Bosmansdam Primary School. While the red line is intended to maintain clear traffic flow, it creates a significant issue for parents, particularly those with Grade R pupils.

These young children are required to be walked into class by their parents, which necessitates parking briefly to ensure their safety.

However, due to the limited parking options and traffic congestion, parents are often left with no choice but to stop in the restricted areas, resulting in fines.

The red line either symbolises the protection of the comfort of the residents of Elbrecht Street, many of whom are senior citizens, or the lack of consideration for the needs of the families who rely on this street to safely drop off and collect their children.

While it is important to respect the needs of the residents, it should not come at the expense of the children and their parents who are simply following school policies and ensuring their children’s safety.

It’s important to note that those who purchased homes along Elbrecht Street were fully aware that Bosmansdam Primary School exists in the area. The school has been a part of the community since 1960, and any property buyer would have known about its presence and the traffic flow it generates. While I understand the desire to maintain peace and comfort for residents, particularly senior citizens, it is equally important to recognise the practical challenges that parents face. These parents are not parking for convenience, but to ensure their children's safety and comply with school policies. The current situation places them in a difficult position, where they must either violate parking regulations or struggle to find an alternative solution, contributing to the increase in fines.

Up until now, discussions regarding traffic management on Elbrecht Street have focused on protecting the comfort of the residents. While these concerns are valid, there seems to be a growing perception that the City is more focused on generating income from the fines in this area than addressing the needs of the families who are being penalised. It appears that the authorities are oblivious to the impact this is having on families who are already facing financial strain.

Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the municipality to upgrade and improve the infrastructure in areas like Elbrecht Street to accommodate the growing needs of the community, including the needs of families with school-going children. The current state of the road, with its red line and lack of adequate parking, reflects the outdated infrastructure that has not been adapted to the current demands. The municipality must step up to address these issues, rather than relying on fines as a solution.

In light of this, I strongly urge the traffic department to reconsider their approach to enforcing parking fines on Elbrecht Street, particularly during school hours. One potential solution would be to implement temporary parking time slots during peak school hours, allowing parents to park briefly and drop off their children safely without facing penalties. These time slots could be clearly marked and enforced only during school drop-off and pick-up times, ensuring that the needs of both parents and residents are respected. Rather than continuing to impose fines, which only create financial strain on families, this adjustment would provide a reasonable solution that balances the needs of both residents and the parents of Bosmansdam Primary School.

I hope this issue can be addressed in a way that balances the needs of both the residents and the families of Bosmansdam Primary School.

City Traffic Services spokesman Kevin Jacobs responds:

Traffic officers did an on-site inspection on Tuesday December 3. Officers noted that there is on-road parking available in front of the school for approximately 14 vehicles. It seems that some parents wish to park in front of the main gate, even though there is adequate parking available.

The red lines on the opposite side of the roadway are there for a specific reason – to avoid obstructing driveways to private residences.

Traffic officers are duty-bound to enforce by-law transgressions with regard to red lines.

The Traffic Service will liaise with the relevant department to further investigate a sustainable solution.

Mayoral committee member for urban mobility Rob Quintas responds:

The issue of traffic congestion and parking shortfall at schools is unfortunately a citywide phenomenon and is neither attainable nor financially sustainable for the City to address via construction. Where feasible, local traffic management plans can be investigated and implemented. For example, time restricted one-way roadways can be considered, but proposals of that nature are subject to public participation.