September 7, 2005
By Anish Abraham
DRIVING through the congested streets of Sandton should soon be a much easier task, as a result of a public-private partnership that will have pointsmen regulating traffic along the area's main roads.
Through the partnership - between the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Media3 and insurance company Outsurance - 22 pointsmen will be on duty to help alleviate traffic in the streets in and around the city's financial hub.
Announcing the project: Willem Roos, the MD of Outsurance; Chris Ngcobo, Chief of Metro Police; and Wayne Minnaar, metro police spokesperson
Pioneered by the JMPD and Media3, the initiative enables sponsors to buy advertising space on the pointsmen's bibs.
Project Traffic Free Flow is sponsored by Outsurance and will be implemented in Sandton from 12 September. It will be extended to other high-density traffic areas across Johannesburg over the next year.
Wayne Minnaar, the metro police spokesperson, said, "Research shows that pointsmen achieve a positive connection between the public and metro police. This goes a long way towards the management of Johannesburg's traffic, especially during peak hours."
According to Chris Ngcobo, the chief of metro police, his force was responsible for the selection and training of the pointsmen. Outsurance would pay them a monthly stipend and provide the uniforms.
The uniforms have reflective yellow and orange bibs, with Outsurance printed on the front and JMPD on the back.
Those involved with the project stood a good chance of becoming fully fledged metro police officers, should their performance and conduct be acceptable.
The selection of the 22 pointsmen was made on the same criteria as metro police officers. They need at least to have a matric certificate, be in good physical condition and show passion for the work.
"We strive to be as professional as possible, so we have to give them good training," Minnaar said.
They will undergo an intensive training programme in the next week. Thereafter they will be posted at less congested routes, where they will be able to gain experience and confidence before they are moved to some of the city's busiest main roads.
Willem Roos, the managing director of Outsurance, said South African consumers had ensured the company's rapid rise and it was time to give back to the community.
The company is committed to the pilot project, which lasts for six months, and anticipates further involvement with Project Traffic Free Flow should the metro police be satisfied with its results.
"Our company is committed to making South Africa a safer place," said Outsurance's head of marketing Hugo Schreuder, adding that the initiative allowed the insurer to carry out its social responsibilities while contributing to the civic wellbeing of Johannesburg.
Subject to further sponsorship, Ngcobo envisages a force of more than 100 pointsmen regulating traffic in the city and on main roads in other areas like Randburg and Roodepoort.
"We are extending invitations to other companies in the corporate world for sponsorship of pointsmen," he said.
The pointsmen will be present at the following intersections:
- William Nicol Drive and Monte Casino Boulevard
- William Nicol Drive and Leslie Avenue
- William Nicol Drive and N1
- William Nicol Drive and Republic Road
- William Nicol Drive and Sloan Street
- William Nicol Drive and Sandton Drive
- Sandton Drive and Grayston Drive
- Grayston Drive and 5th Street
- Grayston Drive and M1
- Grayston Drive and Rivonia Road
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