On Friday evening at about 18:30 Steyn was on his way to his small holding near Groot Brak from George, when a Volvo travelling from Blanco smashed into the right of his Isuzu 4x4, flipping it into the air and causing the bakkie to roll several times.
Steyn says everything happened incredibly fast, but that the seconds after impact felt like an eternity. "I couldn’t believe what was happening. The Volvo appeared from nowhere and the crash was completely unexpected. A vehicle at the stop on the airport’s side was actually taking a gap and I was thinking that it was quite reckless behaviour. Then I saw something from the corner of my eye to the right and the next moment my Isuzu went flying."
The Isuzu ended up on its side and Steyn had to get out of the back window as the doors would not open. He was taken to hospital by ambulance and was sent home with superficial cuts and bruises. Over the weekend his lower back and neck started acting up and x-rays will be taken to reveal the extent of his injuries and required treatment.
But, Steyn says the psychological impact of the accident is far worse.
"I bought the Isuzu - my "pride and joy" - only a year ago. I eventually found it after a long search and much deliberation and on Friday the vehicle had only 45000km on the clock.
"I think because I am so attached to the bakkie, the shock is even worse. It was meant to be my retirement car and I really treated it like gold. It was in mint condition. You never know how much the insurance will pay out."
The driver of the Volvo is apparently from Gauteng and was on his way to a holiday home in Danabaai.
Safer intersection
The crash is the latest of a string of accidents at the specific crossing and many voices have been raised demanding a more secure intersection.
Yesterday, the senior engineer of provincial roads, Len Fourie told the George Herald that an engineering consultant has been appointed to assess the condition of the road between the airport and Blanco. "The crossing with the R102 is part of the project. The road carries a huge amount of traffic and is done for. There is only so much that you can do to maintain a road and then you have to redo it. We are awaiting the consultant’s report and have a three-year horizon in addressing the problem."
Fourie said environmental impact studies must be done and a public participation process will soon be underway.
"Of course, in the meantime, we do not need to stick to the minimum safety standards at the crossing. It seems that the major problem is with the visibility of the stop street or that people maybe expect it to be a four way stop. We will look at enhancing the safety of the crossing in ways that should at least lessen the danger."
Fourie said putting up a traffic light is not just a matter of erecting the structure. "A traffic light goes hand in hand with street lights, so that whole area will have to be lit. We must look at interim options like bigger stop signs and more warnings."
ARTICLE: ILSE SCHOONRAAD
