Destination road signs are aligned with official name changes and user familiarity, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL), said this week.
This was in response to complaints by some motorists using the newly opened ramps of the Umgeni Interchange in Durban who stated on social media sites that they were confused by the use of “KwaDukuza” and “Port Shepstone” on new road signboards at the interchange.
The complainants said they could not understand why Port Shepstone which was more than 100 kms away was used for the ramp leading to the N2 South and why KwaDukuza was used for the ramp towards the N2 North.
One Facebook user said Stanger – the old name for KwaDukuza – should have been used or even Umhlanga, Ballito, Kwa Mashu “or somewhere which is not 78kms away or unheard of”.
Logashri Sewnarain, SANRAL Eastern Region Manager, said the South African Road Traffic Signs Manual outlined the destination policy.
She said “familiar” destinations were selected as the main orientation when one entered a primary road from a secondary road.
“In this case the next ‘familiar’ destinations either side of Durban is Port Shepstone (south) and KwaDukuza (north).
“The name ‘Stanger’ was officially changed to ‘KwaDukuza’ by a government gazette a few years ago, and is hence used on the new signs.
“Some old signs still refer to ‘Stanger’ and this will be changed as we replace the old signage.
“Though some motorists may find this confusing, we are led by policy in this regard,” she said, adding she was confident the confusion would be short-lived as commuters familiarised themselves with the interchange.