Were those traffic lights necessary?

Like thousands of motorists, I did sometimes get frustrated with our road system being in a shambles for quite a few years. Many complaining letters were written, but the time has now come to congratulate the council for our wonderful new road system, even though not fully completed.
Having said that, I must criticize the person or persons responsible for placing traffic lights every few hundred metres. What was wrong with the two roundabouts that were there?
What would the comparison of accidents happening at roundabouts and traffic lights be? I would venture to say at least twice as many at traffic lights. Because roundabouts slow traffic down and at the same time keep traffic flowing.
Standing idling at a red traffic light, with no cars coming from anywhere, means fuel is consumed at R12 a litre. It costs the council electricity to keep these traffic lights going 24/7.
But this is not the end. We are due to have power cuts forever, doubling the chances of accidents happening.
But now that it is done and cannot be undone, how can we rectify which to my mind was a gross mistake? Why not have all the traffic lights on yellow, even a flashing yellow. It will at least slow cars down and keep traffic moving – hopefully even taxis.
DEREK VAN BERGEN
Ballito
I quite agree with you about the value of electricity-free roundabouts, but I don’t see a flashing yellow light having the slightest effect on taxis, except maybe encouraging them to go faster – Editor.