New traffic pointsmen to help alleviate congestion
With the closure of the M2 highway for repairs, which started on February 28, JMPD will deploy additional pointsmen.
THE City of Johannesburg is wrapping up a competitive bidding process to appoint a new private partner to enhance traffic management services in the city.
The well-known and much loved OUTsurance Pointsmen services remain in place for the next three months until a new service provider is appointed.
MMC for Public Safety Clr Michael Sun said, “I recently learned that Johannesburg ranks at number 70 (Mexico City ranked at number one, being the most congested city) out of 189 cities in terms of the Tomtom Traffic Index where worldwide traffic congestion is measured. Although we are not as congested as many other cities around the world, we certainly face many of our own challenges.
“On a daily basis, the department receives complaints of bad driving and blatant disregard of traffic laws and rules. The frustration extends to social media where drivers express their anger and frustration, often aimed specifically at the driving behaviour of minibus taxi drivers.
“In order to restore law and order in the city, we have systematically and continuously been enforcing traffic management and by-law enforcement with Operation Buya Mthetho,” he said.
For the month of January 2019, among others, JMPD has made the following progress:
• 14 drivers were arrested for reckless and negligent driving.
• 209 vehicles were discontinued.
• 351 vehicles were impounded.
• 557 were arrested for driving under the influence.
• 12 970 citations were issued.
• 20 584 vehicles were stopped and searched during roadside checks and crime prevention operations.
He said, “In order to ensure road safety and smooth traffic flow, it is important that we not only enforce the laws, but also promote safety awareness and encourage public cooperation in changing driver behaviour. We hope that through the public-private partnership to be implemented, we are able to improve traffic management service and minimise traffic congestion.”
With the closure of the M2 highway for repairs, which started on February 28, JMPD will deploy additional pointsmen to manage traffic and also increase police patrols and visibility to clamp down on any opportunistic crimes such as smash-and-grabs during peak-hour traffic.
Residents are encouraged to use the 24-hour Traffic Hotline 080 872 3342 to report any traffic-related problems and 011 375 5911 to report any emergencies.
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
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