Stop dangerous truck traffic on Old Howick Road before someone dies!
The Issue
HOW MANY MORE ACCIDENTS MUST HAPPEN BEFORE SOMEONE TAKES ACTION?
On 9 November 2026, a 5-ton truck carrying bricks reportedly lost control on Old Howick Road in Pietermaritzburg, crashing into vehicles outside Athlone Primary School, where parents were waiting to collect their children.
Imagine being a child walking out of school, expecting to see Mom or Dad waiting for you, only to find wrecked vehicles, ambulances and chaos. Imagine not knowing whether your parent is coming home.
This is every parent's nightmare. And it should NEVER be an acceptable risk when collecting our children from school.
For far too long, residents have witnessed large, heavily laden trucks navigating Old Howick Road — a narrow, winding route with steep sections, residential areas and schools. Trucks obstruct traffic, struggle around bends and create dangerous situations.
Today's accident involved a smaller commercial truck, not a large articulated vehicle. The cause still needs to be established. But it is a frightening reminder of what can happen when a loaded vehicle loses control, and it raises serious questions about the risks posed by even larger trucks using this route.
WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH.
We are calling on uMngeni Municipality, Msunduzi Municipality and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport to take urgent, coordinated action to:
- Immediately assess the safety of Old Howick Road for commercial truck traffic.
- Introduce and enforce appropriate restrictions on unsuitable heavy vehicles.
- Increase traffic enforcement, particularly around schools.
- Review and improve safety outside Athlone Primary School.
- Publish a clear action plan with accountable officials and implementation deadlines.
This is not about politics. This is about protecting lives.
No parent should have to wonder whether collecting their child from school will be the last thing they ever do. No child should have to experience the terror of finding their parent injured in a roadside accident.
We cannot wait for a tragedy before taking this seriously.
SIGN THIS PETITION. SHARE IT WITH YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, NEIGHBOURS AND SCHOOL COMMUNITIES.
Let's make it impossible for the responsible authorities to ignore the concerns of the people who use this road every day.
OUR CHILDREN'S SAFETY IS NOT NEGOTIABLE.
Enough is enough. Act before we are writing condolences instead of complaints.
623
The Issue
HOW MANY MORE ACCIDENTS MUST HAPPEN BEFORE SOMEONE TAKES ACTION?
On 9 November 2026, a 5-ton truck carrying bricks reportedly lost control on Old Howick Road in Pietermaritzburg, crashing into vehicles outside Athlone Primary School, where parents were waiting to collect their children.
Imagine being a child walking out of school, expecting to see Mom or Dad waiting for you, only to find wrecked vehicles, ambulances and chaos. Imagine not knowing whether your parent is coming home.
This is every parent's nightmare. And it should NEVER be an acceptable risk when collecting our children from school.
For far too long, residents have witnessed large, heavily laden trucks navigating Old Howick Road — a narrow, winding route with steep sections, residential areas and schools. Trucks obstruct traffic, struggle around bends and create dangerous situations.
Today's accident involved a smaller commercial truck, not a large articulated vehicle. The cause still needs to be established. But it is a frightening reminder of what can happen when a loaded vehicle loses control, and it raises serious questions about the risks posed by even larger trucks using this route.
WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH.
We are calling on uMngeni Municipality, Msunduzi Municipality and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport to take urgent, coordinated action to:
- Immediately assess the safety of Old Howick Road for commercial truck traffic.
- Introduce and enforce appropriate restrictions on unsuitable heavy vehicles.
- Increase traffic enforcement, particularly around schools.
- Review and improve safety outside Athlone Primary School.
- Publish a clear action plan with accountable officials and implementation deadlines.
This is not about politics. This is about protecting lives.
No parent should have to wonder whether collecting their child from school will be the last thing they ever do. No child should have to experience the terror of finding their parent injured in a roadside accident.
We cannot wait for a tragedy before taking this seriously.
SIGN THIS PETITION. SHARE IT WITH YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, NEIGHBOURS AND SCHOOL COMMUNITIES.
Let's make it impossible for the responsible authorities to ignore the concerns of the people who use this road every day.
OUR CHILDREN'S SAFETY IS NOT NEGOTIABLE.
Enough is enough. Act before we are writing condolences instead of complaints.
The Decision Makers
Petition Updates
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Petition created on November 9, 2026