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.

In Nairobi generally, it has become chronic.

Motorists have consequently confused pedestrians, putting them at great risk. And motorists are not entirely to blame.

Irritating manners

Just how did we get here?

The police take primary responsibility.

Then the City Council. Motorists with irritating road manners cannot escape blame either.

Many skip lights without a thought only to stop right next door for a drink.

In a hurry to nowhere; pitiably possessed of bad habit.

But why should city police take primary blame?

Look at what they nowadays do.

Position themselves at most junctions and roundabouts with functional traffic lights and take over.

Displaying great ignorance to the fact that some lanes should enjoy more pass-through time than others, they hold traffic inordinately long. Jams pile up.

The red, amber and green from the control panels consequently assume aesthetic value.

No motorist drives past till the police so indicate.

This has become daily routine. Results? Slowly, like creatures of habit, city motorists have internalised the fact that it’s the police officer, not the lights, who reign supreme.

So, when the officers take a break, chaos reign.

Motorists zoom past without due regard to lights.

It’s getting into everyone’s psyche and we shall pay a big price if this isn’t arrested.

We greatly appreciate the role of the traffic police at junctions without traffic control lights and those with faulty lights.

We, however, must let traffic lights perform their intended role and get motorists and pedestrians to comply.

Indeed, with well respected and functional lights the police would never need to man junctions.

Like in many cities worldwide, closed circuit cameras would help duly authorised officers to detect and punish non-compliant drivers.

With consistent and commensurate penalties to defaulters, motorists would obey even without the police.

Then police officers can be redeployed to other tasks.

Town Clerk Philip Kisia and Mr Adoli, what’s so hard about this? Why are you adding to the city traffic nightmare?

mwathane@landsca.co.ke