Misuse of traffic lights causing jams

Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere and Traffic Commandant Aggrey Adoli should give this thought a chance.

Traffic control lights in Nairobi should either be used as intended or be done away with.

Their erratic application is increasingly part of the city traffic problem.

At this rate, we may soon demand justification for the massive capital invested in them.

Some of these lights were installed just recently.

Why continue to use them if our traffic police wish to take over manually?

Unless there is a change in strategy, the erratic use of traffic control lights as encouraged by police may precipitate a major crisis of confidence by road users.

I am confused, fed up and angry.

A while back, I stopped at the Nyayo House junction and waited. Lights were red.

But cars on the outer lanes came zooming past.

The guys behind me started hooting. But the lights were clearly red.

I waved the hooting chaps to pass if they so wished. Before they did, green came up and I moved on.

At the State House Road junction, I had to slam on the brakes to give way to a motorist who had ignored red lights, tearing towards Community from Valley Road.

I have observed this disobedience to traffic control lights again and again.

It’s extremely common at the Koinange Street/University Way junction, next to Nairobi Safari Club.