In-synch traffic lights get green

Motorists in one of South Africa's most congested cities will soon spend less time in traffic.

Cape Town is implementing a R6.5-million project to synchronise its traffic lights.

The city's mayoral committee member for transport, Brett Herron, said the creation of exclusive pedestrian timing at traffic lights will make it easier for motorists in the CBD who are turning left or right.

"At the moment, pedestrians have right of way," said Herron.

He said frustrated motorists often ignored the pedestrian's right of way. The new system will mean both motorists and pedestrians will have exclusive traffic signals and a set time at intersections.

GPS devices maker TomTom found that Cape Town had the worst peak-hour traffic in South Africa.