‘Pay up or repair’: Gauteng transport department goes after motorists who damage traffic lights

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has taken action against motorists who have damaged traffic signal infrastructure at an intersection in Roodepoort. According to the department's MEC, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, three incidents involving drunk driving have resulted in damage to road infrastructure. Diale-Tlabela stated that ongoing vandalism, theft, and vehicle-related damage to traffic signal infrastructure continue to place a significant burden on limited public resources.

The department aims to recover the costs of repairing and restoring the damaged infrastructure, provided that applicable legal and evidentiary requirements are met. Diale-Tlabela emphasized that infrastructure is not only old or faulty but also damaged through vandalism, theft, illegal connections, and vehicle crashes. Such incidents divert public funds that could have been used for preventive measures, undermining efforts to provide safe and efficient road infrastructure.

Under the Gauteng Transport Infrastructure Act, a court may order an offender to compensate the MEC or repair, remove, or restore damaged provincial infrastructure following a conviction. The department is also testing alternative technologies to improve monitoring of theft, vandalism, and other incidents affecting traffic signal infrastructure at provincial intersections.

Residents are urged to actively protect public infrastructure by reporting incidents affecting traffic signals and other road assets. Diale-Tlabela urged the public to be vigilant and report theft, vandalism, suspicious activity, or damage to traffic signal infrastructure immediately. She reminded road users that protecting roads and ensuring everyone's safety is a shared responsibility.