Declare war on unsafe road conditions
Dear Editor,
Years ago in safety training workshops we were taught that there were two main causes of accidents. One was unsafe conditions and the other was the unsafe act. Some unsafe conditions we can improve, while there are others we can do little about.
The unsafe act is a question of how we behave when we meet the unsafe conditions, and Jamaicans in general are not particularly good at dealing with unsafe conditions. This is amply demonstrated by the way some drivers behave on the roads, causing us to wonder if they have kamikaze intentions.
Our roads fit the category of the unsafe condition (as some were originally cattle tracks), and that is why Minister Everald Warmington needs to declare war against these conditions immediately. This is going to be a long war and he needs to throw everything he has into this effort or he will lose the war.
The minister should realise that many potholes are caused by shoddy workmanship in road construction. He needs to have this practice stopped and employ competent engineers to construct or repair roads and insist on quality control and warranties.
The absence of lane markings on roads is one of the first indicators of an undeveloped country. Marked lanes are of great assistance, especially to older drivers.
Signage is woefully inadequate, both in terms of driving advice, or finding a location. We talk about community tourism, forgetting that signage plays a vital role.
Too many precipices are unmarked or are without barriers and many lives are lost because of this.
At least one sand trap should be constructed below the All Seasons restaurant on Spur Tree Hill to assist in stopping runaway vehicles. In addition, revisit the unfinished south coast road from Alligator Pond to Milk River. This would not only provide an alternative route for large trucks, but would open that beautiful area for development. At the same time, do not forget the Kingston to St Thomas road, and plan another from Coleyville to the north coast.
Roads dug up by utility companies must be addressed urgently, and suitable punishment must be meted out to the offenders.
Programme some red traffic lights to flash at late hours, allowing motorists to drive through cautiously instead of being forced into long stops, creating opportunities for criminals to pounce on them.
Finally, the new Road Traffic Act is spending far too long in gestation and should have been born a long time ago.
The road ahead may be long, but the journey begins with the first step.
Trevor Samuels
tasamuels@cwjamaica.com