Town still waiting for traffic lights

WHILE traffic lights were invented in the 1920s, the technology is still to reach the Northern Cape town of Hartswater, where residents fear for their lives every time they drive on the town’s roads.

According to a municipal spokesperson, the installation of traffic lights in the town is an “ongoing project” ... and has been since October last year.

The lack of traffic lights and, according to a resident, road markings is affecting the safety of motorists.

“There are no stop signs or markers on the road indicating that there could possibly be a stop sign ahead, resulting in numerous accidents. Another accident happened just yesterday (Monday). That is about the fourth one recently,” a resident, who wishes to remain anonymous out of fear of victimisation, said yesterday.

He added that traffic lights were erected in October last year. “They didn’t last long. Within an hour of them being switched on an accident happened and they have been off ever since.

“Fortunately there have been no deaths but we are just waiting for our first fatality. Our wives and children are particularly vulnerable,” he said.

He called on the Phokwane Municipality to explain why there were no road safety markers in the town.

“They need to tell us where the money is being spent. Obviously, they don’t value human life very highly.”

The Phokwane Municipality refuted these allegations yesterday.

“The information is misleading and untrue. The moment you enter Hartswater there are stop signs and markings in the town,” the municipality’s spokesperson, Kgalalelo Letshabo, said.

She added that the installation of traffic lights was an incomplete project. “Regarding the robots, the project is not complete as yet, and the sets were only switched on to be tested. Once the project has been completed, the robots will be used.”