City of Joburg promises new traffic pointsmen to help alleviate traffic

According to the City of Johannesburg they are close to finalising a competitive bidding process to appoint a new private partner to enhance traffic management services in the city.

The City hopes the announcement of their new partner will be made in the next few months.

The current partnership with Outsurance pointsmen services will remain for another three months until a new service provider is appointed.

Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety, councillor Michael Sun said, “Although we are not as congested as many other cities around the world, we certainly face many of our own challenges.

“On a daily basis, the department receives complaints of bad driving and blatant disregard of traffic laws and rules. The frustration extends to social media where drivers express their anger and frustration, often aimed specifically at the driving behaviour of minibus taxi drivers.”

The implementation of the public-private partnership hopes to improve traffic management and minimise traffic congestion.

Sun said the City has made some progress since January 2019, with operation Buya Mthetho initiative on the roads, they are:

14 drivers were arrested for reckless and negligent driving

209 vehicles were discontinued

351 vehicles impounded

557 were arrested for driving under the influence

12 970 citations issued

20 584 vehicles stopped and searched during roadside checks and Crime Prevention Operations.

He added that the safety of motorists and pedestrians is important and that operation Buya Mthetho encourages road safety and the public to change driver behaviour.

After the City announced the closure of the M2 bridge, where repairs have started on 28 February, Sun explained that the Metro police will deploy more pointsmen to direct traffic.

To report traffic-related issues contact the 24-hour traffic hotline on 080 872 3342 and 011 375 5911 to report any emergencies.

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