Disaster waiting to happen
Published:Wednesday | January 5, 2011 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
Last year, I had an accident very close to the site of Monday's fatal accident at Matilda's Corner. That particular stretch of road is between two large schools, and one would think there would be speed restrictions for a school zone.
On the contrary, motorists speed towards Liguanea, constantly creating a third lane in the middle of a two-lane road. Part of the confusion arises from the creation of a filter lane to turn right, which only extends for about 100 metres, but is mistaken by most drivers as extending ad infinitum. Invaluable time of our police force is spent trying to point this out every morning.
My accident occurred because of a careless overtaking driver and it was distressing to hear the police tell that person that if the road was marked, he would have been charged for careless driving. Is it just white paint that is preventing tragedies, or lack of enforcement of laws?
As we start 2011, it is time to think of solutions. Marking lanes, putting dividers on our roads and enforcing traffic fines are just a few. Does it require a similar tragedy before we force motorists (cabbies, in particular) to stop using right filter lanes as ways of beating traffic? At every stop light from Half-Way Tree to Papine, this has become common practice for bypassing vehicles. Cars will swoop in front of the straight-bound traffic by using the filter lanes and stop suddenly without indicators in the left lane as if it is their birthright.
Traffic rules are primarily for safety and its flagrant abuse can only be to the detriment of society. It is time for dangerous drivers to be penalised and for civic sense to prevail. Perhaps the time has come to install cameras at intersections to monitor traffic offences.
For the bus stop in question, since it is in a crowded area with schools on either side, the Government could acquire some land from Sts Peter and Paul Church so that the crowded bus stop could be moved inwards.
GUNJAN S. MANSINGH
Kingston 6