JRA

JRA is alarmed by an increase in traffic signal theft and vandalism. Photo: Joburg Ward 136/ Facebook.

JRA alarmed by increase in Joburg’s traffic signals theft, vandalism

JRA indicated that criminals are using angle grinders to cut down the traffic signal poles at a replacement cost of R28.1 million.

JRA

JRA is alarmed by an increase in traffic signal theft and vandalism. Photo: Joburg Ward 136/ Facebook.

The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) says it is concerned about the alarming increase in the theft and vandalism of traffic signals city-wide, including signal pole cutting and the compound effect of this on the economy.

JRA ASSESSES 2023 DAMAGE COMPARED TO LAST YEAR

JRA has highlighted that over the past 4 years, 531 (25%) of Johannesburg’s 2 028 signalised traffic intersections have been vandalised by criminals using angle grinders to cut down the traffic signal poles at a replacement cost of R28.1 million.
In the past year, this figure increased to 172 vandalised intersections (January 2022 to January 2023), with the month of January 2023 alone reflecting theft and vandalism at 26 signalised intersections and the hardest hit area being the inner city for 60% of cases.

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WHERE ARE TRAFFIC SIGNALS TARGETED

Targeted hotspots include M1 and M2 on and off-ramp intersections belonging to Gauteng Province.
Wemmerpan Road in Rosettenville, one of the City’s busiest transport nodes as it connects the N17, M2 East, M2 West, Wemmer Jubilee Road, and North Road. Commissioner and Main Roads, Booysens and Webber Roads.
In greater Soweto, hotspots include Chris Hani Road, Rand Show Road, Immink Road and Koma Road.

The great Roodepoort areas are also a target at intersections such as Goldman Street and Ninth Avenue, John Vorster Drive and Die Ou Pad Road, and CR Swart Drive and Ouklip Road.

The impact is compounded by load shedding as criminals capitalise on the power outage to cut the traffic pole and steal copper wire at intersections without the risk of electrocution, according to JRA.

THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF THEFT AND VANDALISM

“The JRA is facing an enormous battle to save the City’s road traffic signals from rampant theft and vandalism. Criminal syndicates are spreading their illegal activities across the entire city stripping our traffic signals bare for any materials that can be resold at a fraction of the replacement cost, from the traffic pole signal, copper cables and electrical components and other equipment like signal heads, UPS and controllers.”

JRA acting CEO Louis Nel

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Nel added that these acts not only disrupt the working of traffic signals which are essential services but jeopardise public safety.
“The end result is a negative drain on the City’s economy with traffic congestion and unproductive, frustrated commuters as well as increase in traffic collisions. The very furniture that is intended to prevent accidents and protect our community and road users end up being sold to illegal scrap metal dealers for almost nothing,” he lamented.

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