ICYMI: Are towing companies changing the direction of robots in PMB?

Reports have revealed that a number of traffic lights have been turned to face the incorrect direction with many believing towing companies are behind this.

Certain roads are impacted by the traffic lights being turned

Dr Chota Mothala Road, Alexandra Road and Edendale Road are examples of areas where the traffic lights/robots are facing the wrong direction. According to The Witness, there have been a series of crashes at intersections where the traffic lights were turned.

Many have accused towing companies of doing so to cause accidents and subsequently gain more business. Local towing companies have reportedly agreed with this theory stating that they have had their suspicions about it.

Speaking to the publication, a tow-truck company owner in Pietermaritzburg said the industry is plagued with corruption. He added that he had suspicions about the lights being turned by towing companies.

“I always warn my guys against doing this by reminding them that their family members could be involved in accidents because of the lights they’ve turned. There are a number of towing companies in the city that would do anything for business,” he said.

The Msunduzi Municipality is aware that some robots are facing the wrong direction

Spokesperson for the Msunduzi Municipality Ntobeko Mkhize said that they were aware that some traffic lights were facing the incorrect direction. Mkhize said they had attended to some incidents which caused confusion to motorists.

She explained that these incidents tend to occur mostly in the CBD and busy intersections.

“The municipality has attended to incidents where the traffic signal lights were facing the wrong direction which is something that could cause confusion to motorists and even serious accidents with loss of life. This happens mostly in the CBD and busy intersections. The transportation unit, upon receiving reports, will then attend to re-aligning the signals accordingly,” said Mkhize. 

THIS Midrand road is partially closed until Sunday at 17:00

Meanwhile, it was reported that on Saturday and Sunday, 17 and 18 September, the R101 (Pretoria Main road) in Midrand will be partially closed. Reports state that the road closure is to allow work on the overhead powerline on the corners of the R101 and Allandale Roads, Midrand, reports TimesLIVE. 

Spokesperson for the Gauteng traffic police Sello Maremane said the road closure started on Saturday at 8:00 and is expected to conclude on Sunday at 17:00. The work conducted during this time includes the dismantling of the overhead power conductor and installing a new one.

This is done to supply the electricity in the area. Maremane assured motorists that traffic police will be monitoring and controlling traffic at the affected section of the road. Read the full story here.