44% of Gauteng’s provincial traffic lights are not functioning, putting the lives of road users in danger. Broken traffic lights lead to road accidents and deaths; having functional traffic lights is non-negotiable.
This information was revealed during a recent meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Roads and Logistics.
A total of R273 200 000 is needed to fix the non-functioning provincial traffic lights.
The fact that close to 50% of the province’s traffic lights are still not working points to a systemic failure in routine upkeep and preventive maintenance. The large sum of money needed points to years of neglect and non-maintenance.
Furthermore, Gauteng is the economic hub of the country, and our roads are used to transport goods between other provinces.
To fix these traffic lights, new contractors with a track record of completing projects on time and within budget should be appointed with due diligence.
Yes, this can be done! A Democratic Alliance (DA)-led Gauteng provincial government would only appoint contractors with a proven track record of completing projects on time and within budget.
Where a contractor fails to do so, they will immediately be blacklisted from doing business with the government again.
The DA Gauteng will closely monitor the appointment of the new contractor to fix the broken traffic lights in the province.