Oppose the Swapping of Traffic Lights for Four-Way Stops in Ekurhuleni

Description:

Most of us have already experienced the impacts of Traffic lights not working due to Load Shedding, forcing drivers to use intersections as four-way stops, causing traffic delays of up to 30 minutes or more.

Now imagine a situation where the Traffic lights, which have been in existence for many years, and having served the community well in maintaining safe and free-flowing traffic are replaced with permanent Four-Way Stops. This is most certainly a step backward.

We, the undersigned residents of the Dalpark 6,9 & 11 Residents Association as well as the concerned residents of Ekurhuleni, express our strong opposition to the City of Ekurhuleni’s (CoE) decision to replace traffic lights with four-way stops.

This decision, now in the public domain:

https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/714922/one-of-south-africas-biggest-cities-is-permanently-replacing-traffic-lights-with-stop-signs/

https://www.citizen.co.za/news/ekurhuleni-traffic-lights-stop-signs/

https://www.ekurhuleni.gov.za/press-releases/service-delivery/roads-and-transport/avoidable-damage-to-traffic-lights-costs-the-city-millions/  

Reasons for Opposition:

Safety Concerns: The proposed swap poses a significant threat to road users' safety. Four-way stops can lead to confusion and an increased risk of accidents, jeopardizing the well-being of both drivers and pedestrians. Continuous accidents may also occur because some people won't follow the four-way stop regulations and as such can cause traffic jams.

Potential Increase in Crime: The shift from traffic lights to four-way stops will create an environment conducive to criminal activities such as Smash and Grabs and Hijackings as well as an increase in Road Rage incidents.

Impact on Travel Time: The efficiency of traffic lights in managing traffic flow is well-established. Replacing traffic lights will more than double travelling time and will negatively affect our daily lives, productivity, and overall well-being.

Rise in Fuel Consumption: Prolonged travel times not only inconvenience residents but also result in a substantial increase in fuel consumption. This has financial implications for individuals and contributes to environmental concerns.

Call to Action:

We, the undersigned, urge the City of Ekurhuleni to reconsider and revoke the decision to replace traffic lights with four-way stops. We believe that maintaining the functionality of traffic lights is crucial for the safety, security, and efficiency of our roads. It is time for our voices to be heard. Let us unite and speak up against this decision that threatens the well-being, convenience, and mental health of the residents of Ekurhuleni. Sign this petition to oppose the swapping of traffic lights for four-way stops.  

Petition Goal: Our goal is to gather 10,000 signatures to demonstrate the widespread community opposition to this decision. Let’s share the link to the Petition across all Residents' Associations, Facebook, and other Social Media platforms.    

Silvano Borien - Secretrary Dalpark 6,9&11 Residents Association    Contact the author of the petition