Cable theft blacks out traffic lights

MOTORISTS who commute regularly on the John Ross between Richards Bay and Empangeni, are becoming increasingly frustrated over the number of faulty traffic lights.

On any given morning, there is at least one set of non-functioning traffic lights or others with only one light functioning.

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This places motorists in dangerous situations, especially as some of the intersections such as the eSikhaleni intersection on the John Ross and the Fiveways intersection in Empangeni.

For a few days last week, the green lights at the eSikhaleni/John Ross intersection were out of order, so motorists were treating it as a four-way stop, only to find the orange and then red lights come on.

Since last week, the John Ross/N2 traffic lights east of the N2 bridge have been out of order, and between yesterday (Tuesday) morning and this afternoon, the R34/Fiveways intersection in Empangeni was out.

This morning, the John Ross/East Central Arterial lights were out of order, as were the eSikhaleni lights, the N2 lights east of the bridge and the Fiveways lights.

While most motorists treat intersections as four-way stops when the lights go out, there are some who don’t, instead opting to drive straight through at full throttle.

On only two occasions were traffic police at affected intersections, marshalling vehicles through.

In response to the ZO’s query on the increasing frequency of malfunctioning traffic lights on this main commuter route, City of uMhlathuze Communications Manager, Mdu Ncalane, said cable theft is a major problem.

‘Traffic lights are attended to every day, but lately the issues of cable theft and power outages are dominant.’

‘At times long cables are stolen, which take time to procure.’

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