Image of Pothole Brigade in Action
Potholes have caused endless frustration for drivers across South Africa! The Arrive Alive website and this Blog have received numerous emails reporting potholes and as many requests about how the public can claim for the damage caused by potholes!
The car insurance industry has now joined the battle against potholes with Dial Direct partnering in an initiative to fix potholes. This is aptly named the POTHOLE BRIGADE!!
The Pothole Brigade is an initiative by Dial Direct, in partnership with LeadSA, which has made a commitment to aiding the government in fixing the pothole plague on Johannesburg roads.
“Rain is the primary cause of potholes, which have been increasing at a larger scale during the rainy season. We have potholes increasing in size as fast as they are multiplying. Dial Direct decided that something should be done about it in order to aid the government,” Bradley Du Chenne, Senior Executive of Dial Direct said at the launch.
How Many potholes have been repaired?
Although Dial Direct will be incurring all costs for the pothole repairs, the initiative will also be working in conjunction with the Gauteng Provincial Department of Roads and Transport and the Johannesburg Roads Agency in the hope that the scope of repairs will be broadened. Vadi mentioned that although the Department of Transport has repaired 42 901 potholes, sealed 616 active cracks and fixed 18 951 edge breaks since October 2010, it welcomes the assistance of other organisations as the cost to the public in repairing potholes and other forms of damaged infrastructure is considerably excessive.
“Even as government intensifies its efforts to bring the pothole problem under control, there can be no debate that a partnership with business, the media and other organisations in civil society is most welcome to address the issue. The pothole brigade presents such an opportunity, and we look forward to the support of other stakeholders in society in tackling the problem,” Vadi said.
“This partnership is aimed at improving road infrastructure. Our teams work very hard to address challenges and the additional capacity brought today means we will be able to do so much more. By embracing the Pothole Brigade we are encouraging other brigades in the future. The brigade has the capacity, not only to make us value and love this city we call home, but also to save lives,” City of Joburg MMC Rehana Moosajee said.
Also view:
Can I claim for Pothole Damage?
Car Insurer joins the fight against pothole claims with Pothole Brigade