Speedsters racing down Victoria and Harbour roads remain a hazard despite a long history of complaints, say residents who are demanding action from the City.

There have been calls for the City to put speed humps in the roads to curb the problem (“Hout Bay calls for speed humps,” March 2022).

“Sometimes the bikers go full speed down Victoria Road. The noise levels are insane. What if an innocent person is wiped out from the driving? Action must be taken to prosecute this dangerous behaviour,” said a Victoria Road resident who did not want to be named as he said those who had complained had received threats.

The man sent WhatsApp voice notes of what sounded like cars or motorbikes racing at high speed. He claimed he had recorded the voice notes from Suikerbossie Road.

Residents vent their frustration about speeding in the area on the Car/Bike Racing Complaints WhatsApp group.

One resident said he had met with the City and SAPS since 2022 to discuss the problem, but still it persisted.

He too did not want to be named as he claimed to have received threats.

“For years, I’ve been trying to get something done about the noise in racing in Hout Bay, and I don’t think it’s being acknowledged by the City or the police as nothing is being done about it.

“I live very close to the traffic lights in Hout Bay on Victoria Road, at the bottom of the Suikerbossie hill, which is where a lot of the racing happens. The traffic lights there are being treated like it was a drag drift. The noise levels are unbelievable. The racing lasts for about 100 or 200m.”

Ward councillor Roberto Quintas said it was unlikely that speed humps would be installed on Victoria and Harbour roads.

He said visible policing and enforcement were the best way to discourage those who had no regard for their own safety or the safety of others.

“The City has regular operations in the Hout Bay area. However, static, permanent visibility and trapping are not feasible when considering the requirement to share resources with other wards with much higher population sizes and, in many instances, far worse demands.”

The City’s Traffic Service spokesman, Kevin Jacobs, said they received complaints of racing and noise from across the metropole and could not be everywhere.

“With regards to Hout Bay, we have staff deployed daily in the suburb and follow up on as many of the complaints as resources allow. We continue to monitor the area and assist residents where needed.”

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