Faulty traffic lights results in fatality
Rampant vandalism and cable theft are believed to be at the centre of inactive traffic lights.
A senior citizen was fatally wounded while trying to cross a road at a non-functioning traffic light.
The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has shared its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the person who was struck by a car at an intersection.
The incident took place next to Metro police’s head office on April 4. According to the JRA, like many other intersections in the City, vandalism, theft, power outages and illegal connections are the main factors to traffic light outages, such as was the case in Martindale.
A statement from JRA read, “The intersection of concern around which the accident is alleged to have happened near the JMPD head offices in Martindale is one the intersections which have been affected by the theft of cables and vandalism of traffic controller, some of such intersections were vandalised in less than six months of the preceding restoration.”
The statement added that JRA regrets the loss of life caused by the inactive traffic lights.
Such vandalism is also the cause of chaotic and frustrating traffic delays across roads in the CBD and main roads of Johannesburg. This puts pedestrians and motorists at risk as many drivers become impatient and less likely to be courteous to others.
JRA reminded the public that they must adhere to the terms of the Road Traffic Act which states motorists must treat every intersection where traffic lights do not work as stop signs. Motorists can only move after all other vehicles and pedestrians that arrived at the stop line before have moved. Additionally, they should only move forward once it is safe to do so.
JRA added that it would like to apologise for all inconveniences caused and urged all motorists to treat all faulty traffic signalled intersections as multi-way stops to avoid fatalities.
JRA’s Traffic Engineering Unit will conduct an assessment to determine the impact of using alternative and approved road signs and the intersection is listed to be rebuilt in the coming months at the site of the accident and other problematic intersections.
Metro police officers will also be deployed to man and control traffic intersections where traffic signals are faulty during peak times. A fault tracing test is done on Church Street and 8th Avenue in Mayfair.
