MOTORISTS have been asked to be careful of the illegal pointsmen after they allegedly found another modus operandi to make money from the intersections.
This was after residents in Fourways complained that these informal pointsmen were now disconnecting traffic lights.
According to the provider of specialised and advanced driver training, MasterDrive, residents have pointed out that certain traffic lights were disabled during daylight hours and returned at night.
MasterDrive chief executive Eugene Herbert said: “No official action or confirmation of this was issued. Whether suspicions are true or not, drivers should be particularly wary of following the directions of illegal pointsmen.
“It is extremely dangerous for untrained individuals to direct traffic in some of the busiest and most complex intersections in South Africa. Official pointsmen and traffic officers receive training to safely direct drivers and decrease the risk of collision. Illegal pointsmen have neither the training nor the authority to do the same.”
During the country’s longest stretch of load shedding between 2022 and 2024, some citizens used it as an opportunity to direct traffic at busy intersections for tips.
However, the country has now surpassed 200 days without planned power cuts since the longest stretch of load shedding and this source of income has ended for many.
This also came after the City of Joburg asked motorists not to tip them.
The Johannesburg metro police department (JMPD) last year also warned against directing traffic during blackouts, saying officers had been deployed to remove unofficial pointsmen at various intersections.
This was after videos of homeless people directing traffic during load shedding were circulated on social media by motorists.
“If they are involved in disconnecting the lights, removing the financial benefit will discourage this. This can be difficult as there are reports that some illegal pointsmen get aggressive and even violent if not tipped.
“Anticipate traffic conditions to limit the time you are stationary, leave larger following distances or spaces between your vehicle and the one in front and keep windows closed and valuables out of sight to limit interactions with illegal pointsmen. Additionally, let the authorities handle it and avoid initiating negative contact,” Herbert said.
He warned that motorists should not give illegal pointsmen the same faith and trust they would give to trained officials.
“Even those with training in alleviating traffic flow recognised there was a higher risk of collisions under manual direction. Never proceed through an intersection with blind trust.
“Check all directions as you would if there was no one directing traffic. Remember, an illegal pointsman has no legal authority either. If you proceed despite seeing a potential collision, neither authorities nor insurers will care that you were directed to do so by an illegal pointsman,” he said.
Herbert said in theory, motorists should ignore directions from illegal pointsmen as they have no authority. He added that in reality, this could be difficult.
“When there are drivers following their directions, it may result in a situation where not following the traffic flow can be more dangerous.
“Wherever possible, treat intersections without traffic lights as a four-way stop. If surrounding drivers follow directions of the illegal pointsmen making it difficult to stop, follow the flow of traffic while being extremely cautious.
“Slow down as much as possible and check all directions for drivers that are ignoring the directions. While some intentions may be positive, an illegal pointsman has no authority or training to manage intersections.
“The correct response can be difficult to decide on as it is unique to each situation. Make the most informed decision possible with the understanding that intersections without working traffic lights should be treated as four-way stops if there is no official pointsman directing traffic,” said Herbert.