First responders weigh in on traffic lights crisis
Around R100m is spent on replacing vandalised infrastructure yearly.
Local emergency services, including the City of Ekurhuleni, admitted that the scores of traffic lights that are out of service are hampering emergency services and service delivery in general.
Legendary Guardians Exclusive Protection owner Clinton Festraets said: “The delays caused by non-operational signals have resulted in slightly extended response times, which is a challenge we’re addressing head-on.
“Our teams have found that navigating roads without operational traffic lights demands extra caution, especially during emergency responses. These challenges sometimes slow down our movement through busy intersections, impacting the overall speed at which we can reach those in need.
“Reliable traffic control is essential for public safety. The current situation not only hampers emergency services but also poses broader challenges for all road users.
“We strongly urge local authorities to address these issues promptly, as restoring the full functionality of our traffic lights will significantly enhance response times and overall safety.”
MF Towing’s Andrew Daws said working under these conditions is challenging, as it’s making it difficult for towing services to reach scenes and assist victims of accidents.
Daws said the operators have noted a number of accidents believed to be as a result of traffic lights that were not working.
Metro responds
Metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said with the city rendering services on a daily basis, the out of service traffic lights means that the turnaround time to render services is delayed, likening vandalising public infrastructure to a case of shooting oneself in the foot.
“The public needs to understand that public infrastructure belongs to the people and is meant to make life easy for residents. Around R100m is spent on replacing vandalised infrastructure yearly, and that’s the money the city should spend to improve service delivery and better people’s lives.”
What our Facebook readers said to … How are non-functioning traffic lights affecting your commute?
Jacques Tellis: It’s all planned. Incompetent corrupt municipal staff in bed with these criminal businesses (mafias) to constantly create tenders for them.
Riaan Krugel: It will just get vandalised again and the cables stolen. Harsh punishment is needed when caught
Izak Berg: All over Gauteng. Most on regional and provincial roads, which the Gauteng province must fix. Lesufi is one of the worst premiers of Gauteng ever. This will be the reason why they will get less than 20% support. Yet R600m is missing.
Megan Beardsley Forming: Atlas Road from Toyota to the R24 has not been working for months. It takes 45 minutes to travel 9.4km. None of the councillors have done anything about these huge intersections that have become death traps. My question is: why should homeowners pay rates and taxes?
Chantal Gericke: Commissioner Street and Van Dyk Road is a nightmare. Taxis use oncoming lane as a third lane. It’s very dangerous. It is also a smash-and-grab hotspot so everyone is sitting ducks. Why can’t we have pointsmen at these huge intersections?
Deirdre Burgess Braaf: The intersections of Rondebult and Main Reef, Main Reef and Main, Railway and Trichardts, Lower Boksburg and Du Preez street.
Cheryl Charmaine Richards: Where shall I start? Corner Trichardt and Leeuwpoort, Commissioner and St Dominic’s Street, Commisioner and van Dyk Road.
Renay Rose: Kruger and St Dominic’s Road has been out for ages as well as President Brand and Commissioner Street.
Slade Pratt: Atlas Road turning onto ramp for N12 traffic lights are working but turning filter doesn’t work.
Riana Scheun: Atlas at offramp west @ N12, traffic lights have been turned and they are green and red at the same time for traffic getting of the highway.
Carolyn Van Rooyen Coetzee: The one next to St Dominic’s school is out of order and causes traffic in the morning.
Amanda Prinsloo: The intersection at Atlas and North Rand roads is a disaster ready to happen. At least it was working this afternoon, not sure for how long. Thank you for looking into this. Benoni is just as worse.
Also Read: Smart traffic lights to support emergency services
