JRA responds to Northside’s traffic light nightmare
Petition prompts JRA to respond to vandalism of traffic lights on prominent roads in the Northside.
Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) responded to the uproar of motorists over vandalised traffic lights and stolen road signs after a petition was filed by Ward 85 councillor Zoné Hughes.
Following an article published on February 10, residents have raised numerous complaints expressing their frustration with traffic lights not operating on busy roads such as Hendrik Potgieter and Christiaan de Wet.
• Read the initial article here: Neglect of traffic lights a major concern in the Northside
According to Hughes, after conducting an oversight of traffic lights on Hendrik Potgieter Road last week, no action has been taken following the petition.
JRA CEO Zweli Nyathi explained that the primary contributors to malfunctioning traffic signals were technical faults, power outages, theft, vandalism, and accidents.
“Globally, cities face similar challenges, but it’s up to us to develop solutions tailored to South Africa’s unique context. It’s disheartening to see the extent of theft and vandalism affecting JRA’s efforts to maintain functional traffic signals.
“The statistics on stolen uninterruptible power supply units and solar panels are staggering. However, it’s encouraging to hear that the JRA is exploring alternative solutions and partnering with stakeholders to address these challenges.
“Holding motorists accountable for accidents that damage traffic signals is also a step in the right direction. I hope the JRA’s efforts will yield positive results and improve road safety in Johannesburg,” Nyathi said.
