Traffic light tampering not taken lightly

Joburg Roads Agency (JRA) warns that tampering with traffic lights is a criminal offence.

This after the Londoloza Protection Group reported traffic lights that were tampered with at the intersections of Blueberry Street and Beyers Naude Drive, Witkoppen Road and Hyperion Drive as well as Honeydew Road West and Northumberland Avenue, on their Facebook page.

Londoloza received information that the traffic lights had been turned to face a different direction and warned motorists on social media.

Bertha Peters-Scheepers, JRA’s operations manager of communications and marketing, confirmed the traffic lights on Beyers Naude Drive and Blueberry Street and the Northumberland and Honeydew Road West intersections were vandalised and the matter has been reported to the police.

Traffic lights on Northumberland Avenue and Honeydew West, which becomes Apollo Road in Sundowner Ext 4 had been knocked down by a vehicle in an accident. Upon investigation, there was no theft or vandalism found at the Witkoppen Road and Hyperion Drive intersection.

“JRA is emphasising that anyone caught tampering or vandalising traffic light equipment, or any road furniture infrastructure will be arrested, as it is a criminal offence. JRA encourages residents to report issues concerning road and storm water issues to 0860 562 874, hotline@jra.org.za or @MyJra or via our award-winning JRA Find&Fix mobile app, so that we may be of service,” said Peters-Scheepers.

Traffic flow is now normal at all three intersections. Ward 134 councillor, Wendy Alexander explained the main reason why traffic lights may be tampered with is to steal the metal covering off the light for scrap metal.