SA roads are in a terrible state. This is what you could conclude if
you've read readers' letters sent to popular publications and many
places on the internet. You've probably experienced it yourself as
well.

What even causes them? The high rainfall that we've been
experiencing is definitely a huge factor. Rain (or indeed the
mysterious water streams in built-up areas that have no clear source)
acts as an erosive agent. Added to that is the fact that there are just
a lot of cars (including overload ones) on the roads and a high 72% of
the SA road network is over 20 years old.

What irritates people is not that it happens but that the roads aren't
maintained. Also, signs that warn you of impending potholes adds to the
general digruntlement. If they know about them, why not fix them,
right?

Well the JRA (Johannesburg Roads Agency) works towards minimising this
problem. Some of the ways they plan to do that is to make use of media
channels to increase effective communication with the public and to
work with the Metro Police to clamp down on overloaded vehicles.  read more »