Helping to make the pedestrian crossings safer

Editor: The Traffic Police Branch must be complimented for its stop and check, which will help in ensuring that vehicles are operating according to the law. I have seen a reduction in the loud music that is often played in some vehicles. I trust we would continue to see an improvement in the way vehicles operate on the road.

A closer look at some of the Pedestrian crossings can be challenging to both pedestrians and drivers. The one in front of the hospital can be a challenge. Many times traffic stops in both lanes to allow persons to cross. During this time vehicles coming out of the hospital would try to make use of the opportunity to come out. While doing so, there are persons crossing over on the pedestrian crossing. The vehicles have to drive on the crossing to enter on the road from the hospital and this can cause some challenges since both vehicles and pedestrian on many occasions are in motion, with the pedestrians crossing, and the vehicles coming out in the road at the same time, but the vehicles coming out have to drive onto the crossing. This can be dangerous if the driver of the vehicle coming out is not cautious enough and sometimes, there are persons who would not walk on the crossing but on the side of the crossing which is actually the road, and at the same time the vehicle coming out and may already made the curve into the road. This can cause accidents.

I realize it is difficult to place the crossing in a different location; but some serious consideration and thought should be placed to probably have a police stationed there or a traffic light so as to not have both pedestrians and vehicles operating at the same time, and if possible, reposition the crossing a few feet up or down.

Another challenging crossing is the one to the side of the Singer Gallery leading to and from Bickles.

The closeness of that one to the crossing of the one leading from the same Singer Gallery and the former Income tax building can be challenging, since drivers sometimes maybe turning that crossing from SINGER gallery leading to the old Income tax building to go round the corner into the road opposite Bickles.

The driver may sometimes see the crossing clear and look at the traffic coming from the back of the Registry as free so he may then turn the corner only to see pedestrians already on the crossing from the one leading from Bickles; so that section can be a challenge.

Often times Pedestrians on that crossing seem to just cross with the idea that the vehicle has to stop. This can be dangerous and can cause accidents. So much education is needed concerning pedestrian crossings as to who have the right of way. When Police are there directing the traffic it is okay, but when there are no traffic police confusion sometimes do occur.

Thanks for your space and may we have safe driving on the road.

Kennard King