Old Mutual Insure partners with Johannesburg Roads Agency to keep Parktown traffic lights on during loadshedding
Old Mutual Insure has partnered with Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to keep Parktown traffic lights, off the busy intersection of Saint Andrews Road and the M1, powered during load shedding. The collaborative effort will go a long way in easing traffic congestion caused by the inconsistent functioning of traffic lights due to power outages.
Soul Abraham, Chief Executive for Retail at Old Mutual Insure, says as load shedding continues to pose challenges to communities and businesses across South Africa, this collaborative approach underscores a commitment to addressing these challenges and ensuring safe and efficient traffic flow.
“By keeping traffic lights operational during power outages, we contribute to reducing congestion, enhancing road safety, and supporting emergency services in their vital work,” says Abraham.
The partnership will enable the harnessing of secondary power connections from surrounding buildings, specifically Wanooka place, to power traffic lights at the busy intersection and will bring much needed relief to the affected areas, including key businesses, schools such as Parktown Boys High, Wits Business School, Rand Girls High School, Transnet and Parklane hospital, which experience heavy traffic congestion during peak hours and more so during load shedding. Old Mutual Insure’s contribution to the partnership also involves investing in a 4kW power supply that will enable the operation of affected traffic lights.
Zweli Nyathi, Acting Chief Executive Officer at JRA, emphasises the importance of the partnership, “This partnership will play a crucial role in realising the economic benefits of improved traffic signal reliability”. He also urged more business corporations to come on board, “I encourage other corporations to take a leaf out of Old Mutual Insure’s book and power traffic signals situated next to their buildings and even in other areas. Old Mutual Insure’s commitment to the community and road safety shines as a beacon of hope during challenging times,” says Nyathi.
When commending the partnership between JRA and Old Mutual Insure, City of Johannesburg Member of Mayoral Committee for Transport, Councillor Kenny Kunene said: “In addition to ensuring traffic flow, the partnership serves as the evidence of great outcomes that results from partnerships between public and private sectors. Reliable traffic signals are essential for the smooth functioning of our city.”
Advice on Safe Driving during Power Outages and Load Shedding https://t.co/DBheYmjT2K #ArriveAlive #RoadSafety #LoadShedding @Eskom_SA @SAPoliceService @GovernmentZA pic.twitter.com/dSjC6YNY97
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) November 18, 2022
