Engineering accidents?
Allens Nek - Tow truck drivers suspected to be tampering with traffic lights
Radiokop resident Mandla Hlatswayo is concerned about the safety of motorists at the intersection of Christiaan de Wet Road and Rinyani Avenue in Allens Nek.
According to Hlatswayo, almost every evening a traffic light on Rinyani Avenue is turned to face Christiaan de Wet Road, providing different signals to motorists at one time. “Motorists sometimes get confused as you can see that they are not sure whether to stop or go because of the different signals they get at the same time,” Hlatswayo explained.
The Northsider has been monitoring the situation for a number of weeks and has found Hlatswayo’s observation to be true. It has been noted that for the past two weeks, just after sunrise, the traffic light has been observed to be facing the correct direction.
Allegations suggest the perpetrators could be tow truck drivers. “These people can do anything just to make sure that they get their business going, even if it will be at the cost of other people’s lives,” said Hlatswayo.
Hlatswayo also questions the quality of the traffic lights. “It is evident that turning this traffic light is not much of a hassle so if it was properly done [installed] I don’t believe it would be easy to just turn it around.”
The Johannesburg Road Agency had not responded to questions sent to them at the time of going to print.
