Posts Tagged ‘road construction’

What do you need to know about the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP)

Written on August 3rd, 2010 by jonckie@arrivealive.co.za
Categories: Car Insurance Advice, General Information, Road Construction Claims, Road Safety, Safe Driving Tips

gfip_smallOur drivers in Gauteng would have witnessed construction activity continuing after the Football World Cup, and would have been warned of a new tolling system. This is all part of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP).

What do we need to know about the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project?

The South African National Roads Agency has kindly made available information which we would like to share with our vehicle owners:

The Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) comprises different phases to upgrade and implement new freeways of an ultimate 560km freeway network. Thefirst phase, comprising the upgrading of 185km of the most congested freeways is currently under construction (a total of 15 work packages).

Apart from widening of the freeways, the GFIP project will also ensure that bottlenecks at interchanges are resolved. For the first phase of the GFIP, 34 interchanges are significantly upgraded, including infamous interchanges such as the Allandale, Rivonia, William Nicol, Gilloolys and Elands interchanges. Furthermore, median lighting and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) will be provided on the network.

ITS, comprising of Variable Message Signs (VMS), CCV cameras and Incident Management Services, allow SANRAL to manage the national road network in Gauteng for optimal use of the road capacity available. Through the VMS, SANRAL is able to warn road users of congestion. The CCTV cameras ensure that incidents are noticed and emergency services dispatched immediately. This information is also available on SANRAL’s traffic website www.i-traffic.co.za.

View the full summary at the Arrive Alive website on this link:

Share and Enjoy:
  • Print this article!
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • muti

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Car Insurance Advice, General Information, Road Construction Claims, Road Safety, Safe Driving Tips | No Comments »

Avoid car insurance claims from road works crashes

Written on March 25th, 2010 by admin
Categories: Car Accidents, Car Insurance Advice, Car Insurance Claims, Road Construction Claims

avoid-car-insurance-claims-from-road-constructionMany visitors to this Blog have raised questions pertaining to vehicle damage incurred at construction areas and road works. This risk to vehicle damage is not confined to South Africa and extensive research has also been done in Europe to identify and address these concerns.

We would like to share some information added to the Arrive Alive website on the topic of Road Works and Road Safety:

Who are involved in road works crashes?

  • In by far the most road works crashes only road users are involved. Crashes involving road workers form only a small part of all road works crashes (Hagenzieker, 1998).
  • Although the number of casualties among road workers is limited, there are more work hazards for road workers than for industrial workers (Swuste & Heijer, 1999). Venema et al. (2008) also conclude that the risk of a fatal accident is probably higher for road workers than for the building trade in general.
  • It has also been shown that half the road workers always or often feel unsafe during their working hours.
  • A crash analysis using BRON data shows that freight traffic is relatively often involved in road works crashes. Overall, a freight vehicle is involved in 6% of the crashes; this is 14% for road works crashes. Other studies confirm this picture (Van Gent, 2007).

What are the causes of road works crashes?

  • The international literature shows that road works crashes are relatively often rear-end crashes (Van Gent, 2007). Recent Dutch crash data confirm this: 31% of all rural road works crashes are rear-end crashes, in comparison with 15% of all rural crashes.
  • Short headway distances and speeding play an important role in the occurrence of rear-end crashes.
  • An extensive literature study of road user behaviour in the vicinity of road works was carried out in the European ARROWS project (ARROWS, 1999). The European PREVENT project has summarized the main findings and has studied more recent literature (PREVENT, 2003).

The most consistent finding is that:

  • speeding is common at road works.
  • The majority of drivers drive too fast when approaching road works.
  • Drivers often do not reduce their speed until the traffic situation immediately in front of them urges them to do so (just before an abrupt change of circumstances) and consequently brake too hard.
  • Although ‘fast’ drivers (with a high initial speed) have a relatively larger speed reduction than ’slow’ drivers, their end speed still is higher.
  • In addition, changing lanes is left rather late when a lane is closed off (Schuurman, 1991).

In a number of urban crashes, especially slow traffic enters a blocked road and then collides with works traffic, falls, or rides into a ditch (Janssen & Weijermars, to be published). Lack of clarity about the diversion and the lack of distinct marking of the work area seem to contribute to these crashes occurring.

What measures can be taken?

  • Reducing the maximum speed is intended to ease the driving task.
  • In addition it also reduces the risk of a crash and lessens its severity.

Supplementary measures like enforcement and dynamic speed information can be used to actually exact compliance.

Dynamic speed information is a measure which is used to measure the actual speed of each individual vehicle and communicate it to the driver (feedback). Research has shown that this causes drivers to lower their speed (Geluk et al., 2003).

In 2006, the Ministry of Transport started a new trial to reduce speed at road works. Road users were given immediate feedback on their speed, and at the same time their vehicle registration number was shown. This direct feedback seemed to have speed reduction as a result (AVV, 2007).

The lower a speed limit is, the more it is exceeded. A speed limit seems to be more acceptable and complied with when it is credible. Therefore, in 2005 the Dutch Ministry of Transport introduced new speed regulations during road works on motorways. The maximum speed is now 90 km/h and this is only lowered to 70 km/h if the lanes are narrow or if road workers work right next to the lanes without any barriers. When signaling is present above the road, speeds can be differentiated between lanes or for time of day.

Impact attenuators reduce the risk of crashes and in addition lessen their severity. Barriers lower the risk of a road user driving into the work area, but they increase the possibility of a crash with a rebounding vehicle. Physical barriers must therefore only be placed if they are absolutely necessary (Van Gent, 2007).

Also view:

Share and Enjoy:
  • Print this article!
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • muti

Tags: , ,
Posted in Car Accidents, Car Insurance Advice, Car Insurance Claims, Road Construction Claims | No Comments »

Pothole damage not only a South African car insurer problem

Written on March 12th, 2010 by admin
Categories: General Information, Road Construction Claims

PotholeThere is no doubt that potholes have become the biggest threat to vehicle and tyre damage. Vehicle and tyre service providers in the Johannesburg area has confirmed that 6 out of 10 vehicles brought to these centres have suffered damage caused by potholes.

Our roads are deteriorating and there is much pressure on local authorities to have these potholes repaired. On the Car Insurance Blog we closely monitor our visitor and have seen a sharp increase in 2010 in the number of visits that came to the blog via searches about pothole damage and car insurance.

But is this a uniquely South African problem?

I am afraid not! New research by the AA has revealed that car insurance claims, for damage caused by potholes, accounted for £3 million in car insurance claims in the UK during February alone.

Some £2.85 million worth of car insurance claims made in February were a result of damage from potholes in roads that have remained untreated by local councils. The AA’s Simon Douglas said that there are probably many more minor problems caused by potholes that never get reported. He explained that the, “claims are just the tip of the iceberg, because it takes serious damage to make it worth [an] insurance claim”.

This is a very valid comment and true in South Africa as well. Only those vehicle owners who have suffered serious damage are searching to find who is to be held accountable. If vehicle damage from potholes has occurred on the National Roads, the South African National Roads Agency will be accountable. They are insured against such claims and it is possible to find compensation for the damage.

The biggest frustration for South African drivers is that most of the pothole damage is to be found on roads managed by local municipalities. Efforts to hold these local municipalities responsible is often time consuming and a costly exercise. It simply does not console the driver who needs his vehicle the next day and who is already struggling in a tough financial climate!

The AA has warned against driving along rural roads after dark. In these conditions the AA warns that most drivers do not notice the pothole until the damage has already been done. The organisation says the number of claims for damage by potholes in the UK has risen by a staggering 600 per cent in the past three years.

What are the costs of pothole damage to car insurance in the UK?

According to the AA, the average quote for third party, fire and theft car insurance totalled £1,252 by the end of last year. The typical annual comprehensive car insurance premium totalled £1,000.

The threat to Road Safety needs to be recognized as well! In South Africa many vehicles on our roads are not insured. Pothole damage is one of the contributing factors to many non-roadworthy vehicles and damaged tyres on our roads. This could increase road deaths and injury to road users.

Also view:
Potholes leading to increased frustration and tyre damage claims

Share and Enjoy:
  • Print this article!
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • muti

Tags: ,
Posted in General Information, Road Construction Claims | 1 Comment »

Potholes leading to increased frustration and tyre damage claims

Written on January 27th, 2010 by admin
Categories: Car Accidents, Car Insurance Claims, General Information

PotholeThe Arrive Alive website has received an increasing amount of emails from road users concerned with the condition of our roads. These emails have been referred to the Department of Transport and the National Roads Agency.

The potholes do not only endanger the lives of travellers driving away from the National roads [“N” roads], but are also contributing to increased vehicle damage!

The full extent of the problem was highlighted earlier this week in a report on Eyewitness News. It is reported in a snap poll by Eyewitness News that around six of every 10 cars taken to tyre centres in Gauteng are there because of pothole or construction damage. It has emerged poor road conditions in the country could be costing the economy as much as R18bn a year.

Eyewitness News called various tyre fitment centres and retailers across the province and just about all had the same response – deteriorating road conditions were good for business. Some estimate between seven and nine out of every 10 cars they attended to, were there because of potholes or construction. They agreed the figure increased exponentially over the past few years.

“It’s increased dramatically. The number of tyres we replace due to tyres we replace due to road damage compared to about three years ago has probably doubled,” said one centre.

The South African Chamber of Commerce has also expressed concern about the lengthy delays on our roads around Johannesburg. The chamber’s Neren Rau said potholes, the absence of road markings, malfunctioning traffic lights and accidents were all problematic.

The Johannesburg Roads Agency is likely to experience a spike in claims as persistent wet weather exacerbates the pothole problem across the city.

There will be increased litigation if attention is not given to repairing these dangerous road conditions. It is important to remember that vehicle damage from road works and poor road conditions on the “N” roads can be addressed to the South African National Roads Agency and their insurer.

Damage suffered as a result of poor maintenance and failure to repair road conditions on other roads have to be addressed to the local municipality and department of roads/ public works in that area.

Also view:

Share and Enjoy:
  • Print this article!
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • muti

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Car Accidents, Car Insurance Claims, General Information | 13 Comments »