Road safety shocker: 149 traffic lights in Gauteng don’t work

A recent audit by the Gauteng Department of Roads and Logistics has revealed that 149 traffic lights across the province are out of order.

Moreover, malfunctioning signals at key intersections have created significant risks for motorists and pedestrians.

Problems at main intersections

The audit, which evaluated 400 provincial traffic lights, identified critical faults at several high-traffic intersections.

These include Beyers Naudé Drive and Honeydew Road West, Malibongwe Drive and Witkoppen Road, and Winnie Mandela Drive and White Hills Boulevard.

“It is worrying that so many robots are not working in the province, which could lead not only to accidents, but also cause high volumes of traffic during peak hours,” said Evert du Plessis, DA Gauteng spokesperson for roads and logistics.

Theft and vandalism

Vandalism and theft have been seen as primary contributors to the traffic-light crisis, resulting in significant financial losses while also raising safety concerns—especially at night.

Copper cables, signal components, and other critical infrastructure are frequently targeted. This renders many lights inoperable or causes signal malfunction.

This has been particularly problematic in Johannesburg’s inner city, Randburg, and Roodepoort.

“The DA has initiated a petition encouraging motorists and residents to report instances of non-functioning, stolen, or vandalised traffic lights,” Du Plessis added, while also advocating for the department to explore alternative technologies.

What are authorities doing?

City Power, which oversees power supply issues affecting traffic lights, is collaborating with the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to tackle the problem. The JRA is focussing on clearing the backlog of faulty intersections, while City Power looks to addresses the ongoing challenges related to streetlight vandalism.

“Once JRA determines that power failure is the cause of a malfunctioning traffic light, they will request assistance from City Power,” said Isaac Mangena, spokesperson for City Power.

“City Power will then prioritise the repair and restoration of power to the affected traffic lights to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and the safety of road users.”

Mangena also noted that malfunctioning lights could be the result of deliberate tampering by individuals directing traffic for monetary gain.

According to the Gauteng Department of Roads and Logistics, contractors have been secured to expedite urgent repairs on faulty traffic lights.

Additionally, the department is working with law enforcement and community stakeholders to secure road infrastructure and deter further vandalism.

Are traffic lights out in your area?

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