Two cyclists died after accident on the Durban M4 highway
Two cyclists died in a tragic accident along the M4 in Durban last Sunday. The Road Traffic Inspectorate stated that cyclists aren’t allowed on the highway.
Richard da Silva and Jared Dwyver were part of a group of close to 30 cyclists from the King’s Park Cycling Club. During an early morning ride along the M4, a car crashed into them from behind.
RTI spokeswoman, Zinhle Mngomezulu, stated that:
“The M4 is a designated freeway and cyclists are not allowed to be on a freeway. The extract of our national Road Traffic Act is in our learners’ book due to the fact that we wanted all the road users to understand those critical facts,” she explained.
After these two cyclists died, Mngomezulu added that the RTI would not be pressing charges against the rest of the cyclists.
“We are not going to target them; however, should they be found on the freeway they will be charged.”
According to Arrive Alive, the law states: (Under regulation 323 for rules on freeways – where cyclists are prohibited)
(1) No person shall operate on a freeway—
(a) a vehicle drawn by an animal;
(b) a pedal cycle
The driver of the vehicle is being detained at the Durban North SAPS and is facing charges of drunken driving and culpable homicide. He is due to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court this week.
Shaun Ryley, Durban North ward councillor, said he wanted the city to work with the cycling community to look at a cyclist-friendly route between Durban North and uMhlanga.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the cyclists and to the cycling community at large. Cycling is a growing sport which is being taken up by many people. There is a two-way relationship between motorists and cyclists and we need to look at ways in which this growth in popularity can be accommodated.
I would like to see the initiation of consultation between the cycling community and the city with looking at a cyclist-friendly route from Durban to uMhlanga that would eliminate the need to use the M4.”
Source: Northglen News