Errol Vassell: Managing Maraescaux Road

Traffic wardens are a critical part of the road-safety mechanism, but who, all too often, are a mere blip in the motorist's windscreen. Today, Automotives starts a series on traffic wardens, honouring the contribution they make, and ensuring that they are seen as more than the person who holds up a sign in morning traffic.

Chad Bryan, Gleaner Writer

Between 6 and 8:30 a.m. on weekdays, when several motorists are hurtling down the busy Marescaux Road that leads to the Downtown Kingston's business district and into Cross Roads, one man, Errol Vassell, stands between the pedestrians and speeding drivers.

The 47 year-old, a crossing guard (or traffic
warden), receives his directives from the Traffic Division of the
Elletson Road Police Station, which also supervises and pays him. While
there are no strict academic qualifications necessary for the job, an
individual should possess a clean police record.

Last
week, in the sweltering heat of the Thursday morning sun Vassell
beckoned, quite animatedly to several students, as well as adults, who
need to get across the busy thoroughfare.

READY FOR
ACTION

The slim-built Vassell, dressed in a white,
blue and red laboratory-style overcoat and cap, equipped with whistle
and hand-held stop sign, spares no time when students and other
individuals gather at the pedestrian crossing. Darting briskly across
the road with the sign held high in the air, Vassell commands the
respect of some motorists as they yield to his
directives.

Not only has Vassell earned respect and
love from many of the pedestrians he assists on a daily basis, he is
also a hit among motorists, as several of them could be seen saluting
him. He responds by blowing his whistle as they whizz
by.

"I have been a crossing guard for nine years. I
have worked at Half-Way Tree Primary, Ormbsy Hall Primary and the St
Hugh's High School," said Vassell, who has been stationed at St Hugh's
for the last five years.

Although Vassell explained
that he generally gets along well with everyone, he pointed out that
indisciplined motorists pose a major threat.

"Most of
the motorists can be disobedient, especially the taxi drivers who bad
drive other people. On my route, the taxi drivers, when they are suppose
to stop they don't and when they do stop, they end up overtaking," he
explained.

Despite this, however, Vassell emphasised
the high points of the job, which included its ease as well as the many
persons he meets
daily.

Photos by Chad Bryan