Green light problem for pedestrians
A number of pedestrians have been injured during collisions, and one resident pointed out that most of the pedestrian lights on traffic lights at intersections in the CBD were not working.
The midday crowd jostles him as he makes his way down the sidewalk. The roadway is crowded with cars, buses and taxis, vying for space.
Diesel fumes from a bus make him choke. He hears the sound of a hooter, blaring brazenly, drowning out the cacophony of voices and revving engines.
The last thing he remembered before stepping off the sidewalk and onto the road, was the sound of tyres screeching. A woman screamed, and he felt the hot sun on his back.
Pedestrians in the CBD have, for a long time, been a contentious bone to pick for motorists. Jaywalkers cross at every opportunity. A trip down Kirkland Street on a busy month end afternoon is likely to require nerves of steel, while the threat posed to these pedestrians is multiplied by an alleged lack of enforcement of the law.
A number of pedestrians have been injured during collisions, and one resident pointed out that most of the pedestrian lights on traffic lights at intersections in the CBD were not working.
According to Lindile Zincume, the SED for Electrical and Mechanical Services, the municipality was continuously working on improving the traffic signalling infrastructure.
“Traffic studies are being conducted for strategic intersections on a continuous basis, and improvements are effected based on prioritisation and availability of funds,” said Mr Zincume. “In the current financial year all intersections which have pedestrian crossings will be upgraded using the 19-core cabling system.”
Most of the traffic signals in town were designed using the South African Road Traffic Sign Manual, Volume 3.
“This is in order for us to comply with requirements for the traffic signs in Newcastle,” he said. “Most of the traffic signals were designed using older versions of the manual, where the use of a seven-core cabling system was the norm.”
He continued: “With the increasing demand and as the requirements of the road users become more complex, it becomes necessary to upgrade the cabling system.”
It is for this reason the Newcastle Municipality will be introducing a more sophisticated 19-core cabling system, which will allow the traffic lights to accommodate additional signalling requirements, over and beyond the requirements of the manual.
Mr Zincume also pointed out that a large amount of funds have gone into replacing traffic lights damaged by reckless drivers; money which would otherwise have gone towards upgrading the system. He further urged drivers to take in consideration the rules of the road, which indicate drivers must yield for pedestrians while they are crossing at a designated crossover area.
