GTM defends decision to deploy pointsmen at functional traffic lights
"I understand if they control the cars when the robots are malfunctioning, but most of the robots are working now. It's frustrating to look at the traffic officer and the lights at the same time. This will cause accidents in the future," Thamaga said.
BURGERSFORT – With most local motorists questioning the decision by the Greater Tubatse Municipality (GTM) to deploy pointsmen at various traffic lights in town, Steelburger/Lydenburg News conducted an investigation into the matter.
With 70 per cent of the town’s traffic lights operating, several motorists claimed they were shocked to see traffic officers still directing vehicles, even when the lights were functioning properly.
Taxi driver, Mr Frans Thamaga complained that the pointsmen, who were mostly trainees, disrupted the flow of traffic. “I understand if they control the cars when the robots are malfunctioning, but most of the robots are working now. It’s frustrating to look at the traffic officer and the lights at the same time. This will cause accidents in the future,” Thamaga said.
GTM spokesman Mr Thabiso Mokoena defended the municipality’s decision to put pointsmen at the functioning robots.
“We have a huge flow of cars at the traffic lights next to Tubatse SPAR, the local taxi rank and AutoZone, especially during peak hours.
“We realised that the robots at times glow only for one minute or less and the traffic department decided it was vital to put pointsmen on those busy areas to avoid collisions.”
