Windhoek pays high price for damaged traffic lights

The Windhoek municipality spends millions of dollars each year installing, maintaining and repairing traffic lights, with vehicle-related damage continuing to strain scarce municipal resources.

City of Windhoek spokesperson Lydia Amutenya said the installation of a new traffic light at an intersection costs between N$400 000 and N$700 000, depending on the size and complexity of the site.

The municipality currently operates 165 traffic light-controlled intersections across the capital and allocates approximately N$4 million annually for maintenance.

In addition to routine upkeep, the City has incurred notable costs due to damage caused, mainly by traffic accidents, Amutenya said.

Over the past two years, about N$500 000 has been spent repairing damaged traffic lights.

Repair costs range from as little as N$3 000 for minor faults to as much as N$30 000 where major components are affected.

Bad drivers

Amutenya said incidents occur at various times but are most common at night, particularly over weekends and around month-end periods, when traffic volumes and risky driving behaviour tend to increase.

On average, the municipality records between five and seven traffic light-related damages per month, ranging from minor repairs to severe structural damage involving poles and signal heads.

Motorists who damage traffic lights are generally held accountable for the costs. “Individuals who cause damage to traffic lights are held responsible for repair or replacement costs,” Amutenya said. The City relies on the Windhoek City Police, who attend most accidents, to obtain vehicle and driver details.

However, she noted that accountability is not always possible. “Accountability is sometimes not possible for accidents that are unreported or where the driver leaves the scene,” she said.

She added that accidents involving large vehicles making unsafe turns often result in extensive damage that may go unaccounted for.

Repairs are typically carried out immediately to reduce traffic disruptions, after which the City seeks reimbursement from the responsible driver or vehicle owner. 

To strengthen monitoring and enforcement, the City is rolling out CCTV cameras at strategic and accident-prone intersections in partnership with the City Police.

The municipality urges motorists to treat traffic lights as critical public infrastructure essential for road safety and traffic flow. Residents are encouraged to report accidents or malfunctioning traffic lights to the City Police at 061 302 302 or via SMS at 4444.