The only thing worse than sitting in congested traffic in Johannesburg is sitting in congested traffic during load shedding. Even with the reduced two-hour period of load shedding, the impact on traffic is significant. This has prompted an innovative but dangerous activity at intersections where street traders and people who beg at intersections have taken on the role of informal pointsmen.
On Saturday I drove past the intersection on Cedar and Uranium Roads in Fourways. The traffic lights were out due to load shedding and a group of four men were doing their best to direct traffic whilst another was busy collecting donations from passing motorists. We do appreciate their efforts in trying to ease traffic congestion but such acts are extremely dangerous and could lead to accidents and multiple civil liabilities.
The Road Traffic Act already prohibits people from standing in the road to trade or beg at intersections, and only permits those who are qualified and appointed as traffic officers to direct traffic. In the event of a vehicle collision as a result of the driver taking directions from an unqualified pointsman, both the driver and the unqualified pointsman could be held civilly and criminally liable for the loss, injury and even death.
The Gauteng Traffic Police (GTP) and the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) need to take joint responsibility for reducing traffic congestion, especially during load shedding. We propose an effective and simple solution: follow the load shedding schedule and plan for the deployment of traffic pointsmen to affected busy intersections before the load shedding starts.
We need the City to be proactive in solving issues. A wider traffic pointsmen recruitment and training programme will go a long way in easing Johannesburg traffic and create many opportunities for unemployed residents.