The reason why traffic lights are always out in Joburg - Theft and vandalism

[Bradley Prior]

The reason why traffic lights are always out in Joburg - Theft and vandalism

Drivers in Johannesburg are no stranger to traffic lights being out, but the traffic slowdowns caused by these failures are as frustrating as ever for commuters.

 

[supersunbird]

Yes, that definitely explains why so many traffic lights often stop working when it rains...

 

[TheChamp]

Which part Johannesburg? My area's traffic light are mostly working, if they do fail they are fixed promptly. City Power has also been up to the task lately, fixing and installing new street lights. Road agency is also not doing bad.

 

[McGuywer]

Commenting on the effect of the lockdown regulations on traffic light outages, the JRA said that the only impact of lockdown was less traffic on the road and therefore fewer accidents that resulted in traffic lights being knocked over.

Less vandalism or theft?

 

[hj007]

Have they fixed the find&fix app yet?

 

[thestaggy]

Yes, that definitely explains why so many traffic lights often stop working when it rains...

All of the above to be honest.

In my area, they frequently stop working when it rains, but then they have also been replaced twice in the last year after being cut down.

My dad works in Benrose. They have stopped installing traffic lights near the hostels because they are cut down within days. Traffic lights were replaced by stop signs. Then they stole the stop signs, so now it is a lucky packet when you drive through parts of Benrose, people just make up the rules of the road as they go.

Most of the traffic lights along the backroads heading past the old mine dumps on the way to the Jo'burg CBD have been cut down/are routinely cut down.

 

[deweyzeph]

This article does nothing to explain why the problem of non-working traffic lights is so much worse in Joburg than it is in Cape Town. Cape Town also has the same problems with theft and vandalism, yet the problem is so much worse in Joburg than it is in Cape Town. The excuse about rain bringing the lights down too don't make sense when you consider how much rain Cape Town gets in the winter and yet the lights don't go down.

 

[grok]

Incoming study about the impact systematic and institutionalized theft by the marginalized has on the environment.

Ready your Noble & Pulitzers, backslapping optional but encouraged.

 

[Lupus]

"A commonly-targeted component of traffic light systems is the UPS systems which provide them with backup power in the event of a power failure or load-shedding."

What?? Than my area hasn't had this for almost a decade, neither did my dads in the 2000s.

 

[wingnut771]

This article does nothing to explain why the problem of non-working traffic lights is so much worse in Joburg than it is in Cape Town. Cape Town also has the same problems with theft and vandalism, yet the problem is so much worse in Joburg than it is in Cape Town. The excuse about rain bringing the lights down too don't make sense when you consider how much rain Cape Town gets in the winter and yet the lights don't go down.

It's because the DA has full control in CT, DA in JHB had coalition government, then they were kicked out. That's my opinion on the matter.

 

[deweyzeph]

It's because the DA has full control in CT, DA in JHB had coalition government, then they were kicked out. That's my opinion on the matter.

Politics aside, I think it's because the City of Cape Town is very quick to fix traffic lights when they go out, whereas in Joburg I've noticed the same set of lights will be out for months at a time. There's one set of lights near Lanseria on the way out to Harties that has literally been out for years. I haven't been to Joburg for a while now, but it wouldn't surprise me if that same set of lights is still out. It's like they've just given up on fixing them.

 

[wingnut771]

Politics aside, I think it's because the City of Cape Town is very quick to fix traffic lights when they go out, whereas in Joburg I've noticed the same set of lights will be out for months at a time. There's one set of lights near Lanseria on the way out to Harties that has literally been out for years. I haven't been to Joburg for a while now, but it wouldn't surprise me if that same set of lights is still out. It's like they've just given up on fixing them.

Jobs for pals (incompetence) vs jobs for hire (competence) so it is political imho. DA couldn't fix all the problem in the short space of time they were running the show, at the same time trying to please the EFF.

 

[system32]

Most intersections don't have UPS - so there goes that excuse.


The above traffic lights have tick copper cables - pretty sure LED could be powered by PoE cable.
The thieves only steal the copper, but cause 10x the damage.
CoJ would repair this every 2-3 weeks, they even had security staff overnight for a while.

Took CoJ years to stop using copper in the lights.
3 years later:

 

[deweyzeph]

I'm a big fan of traffic circles (or roundabouts). If I was a city planner I'd replace all the big traffic light intersections with traffic circles. They are proven to be much more efficient and safer than traffic lights, plus the added bonus of almost zero maintenance costs or infrastructure.

 

[Lupus]

Politics aside, I think it's because the City of Cape Town is very quick to fix traffic lights when they go out, whereas in Joburg I've noticed the same set of lights will be out for months at a time. There's one set of lights near Lanseria on the way out to Harties that has literally been out for years. I haven't been to Joburg for a while now, but it wouldn't surprise me if that same set of lights is still out. It's like they've just given up on fixing them.

They swapped it out for a stop street if I'm not mistaken. The biggest issue was every time it was fixed, parts were stolen again.

 

[dgcarter]

What about more visible policing? The only time I ever see cops around is at times when there is a quick buck to be made off drunk drivers.

 

[Mekon]

Don't forget poor general maintenance.

 

[Mekon]

I'm a big fan of traffic circles (or roundabouts). If I was a city planner I'd replace all the big traffic light intersections with traffic circles. They are proven to be much more efficient and safer than traffic lights, plus the added bonus of almost zero maintenance costs or infrastructure.

But even if there are traffic circles there are ******* motorists. That is the biggest problem. People who can't wait there turn or just don't give a sod and just keep driving not giving the person who actually has right of way a chance and when called out on it will act like a pathetic shytestain and get all agro.

 

[deweyzeph]

But even if there are traffic circles there are ******* motorists. That is the biggest problem. People who can't wait there turn or just don't give a sod and just keep driving not giving the person who actually has right of way a chance and when called out on it will act like a pathetic shytestain and get all agro.

Unfortunately you're right. South Africans are notoriously bad at knowing what to do at a traffic circle.

 

[Mekon]

This article does nothing to explain why the problem of non-working traffic lights is so much worse in Joburg than it is in Cape Town. Cape Town also has the same problems with theft and vandalism, yet the problem is so much worse in Joburg than it is in Cape Town. The excuse about rain bringing the lights down too don't make sense when you consider how much rain Cape Town gets in the winter and yet the lights don't go down.

My sister lives in Cape Town and came to visit us recently. She commented on how many lights were out around GP. She says lights in Cape Town are out but working again within 2-3 days. I know of some intersections that have been out for over a year. There is one in Witfield, Boksburg.