by Orita | January 15th, 2008
Can’t park here, can’t park there, can’t park anywhere -
In town that is!
Yellow lines here, yellow lines there, yellow lines everywhere -
In town that is! and more showing up every day!
Buses here, taxis there, buses and taxis everywhere –
All over!
In speaking with friends and other drivers, these are some of the comments and complaints they have made. Those of us who drive on a daily basis will recognize that many of these remarks are true. I don’t believe this situation will change and may even grow to create greater inconvenience; one of the many things we must accept and live with!
However, there are more serious concerns than parking which has continued to escalate and puts us all in danger, drivers and pedestrians alike. Now that cell phones seem to have taken over, have you noticed how many one-handed drivers are on the road nowadays, because their cell phone is firmly clasped in the other hand? Have you also noticed how many are distracted from prudent driving as they engage in cell phone conversations? I’m sure there are those who have narrowly missed being involved in a collision as a result of a cell phone driver pulling out in front of you, or almost neglecting to stop as you’re crossing the road? In many American states and some European countries hand held cellphones are now illegal, and for good reason. Perhaps that would not be such a bad idea for St. Kitts & Nevis.
Drivers are not the only culprits that put us (especially drivers) in danger. More and more pedestrians are crossing the road anywhere! Some neither look left nor right for moving traffic; some hold up their hands to stop traffic so they can cross; some saunter across and give you the ugliest of looks, and again users of cell phones seem to lose all track of where they are. Others attempt to use the designated crossings, only to find drivers ignoring them.
It seems we have become a nation of people unwilling to demonstrate respect and courtesy to others. Am I guilty of having crossed where I shouldn’t? Yes! Have I acknowledged a kind driver who has stopped to allow me to cross IN THE WRONG PLACE? Yes! Are there enough safety crossings in strategic places? No!
I am curious to know how often the Traffic Department makes a survey of what is needed relative to these situations. Again, I know that in some U.S. cities jay-walking (crossing in the wrong place) is prohibited and can result in a fine. Should we seriously consider implementing similar laws, as well as introducing additional safety crossings? I believe so. However, it is apparent that we do not have enough police officers on the streets regularly enough to possibly curtail these incidents.
What about the employment of others who could be trained to provide this service and issue violators with a ticket? Despite school crossing guards being in place, students, in great numbers, cross wherever they choose.
Then we have the Hire bus drivers, transporting passengers from the countryside to the factories and to and from homes, who stop wherever and whenever to pick up and drop off passengers. It doesn’t seem to matter where that stop may be or how much interference and inconvenience is caused to moving traffic. I’m sure many of us drivers, if not all, have gone through this experience more than once and in different areas of the town! Many of us may also have experienced the major congestion that often occurs on College Street where the parking of buses on both sides has literally caused one-way traffic flow, or stalled traffic, particularly when the bus drivers make their turns from one side of the road to the other or park in such a way that blocks the flow of traffic.
With the ever increasing number of cars and drivers on the road, the smooth flow of traffic is a vital requirement, particularly at peak hours and on heavily travelled streets.
Hand signals, which are now a thing of the past, were used to indicate the driver’s intent. Today our vehicles are installed with signal indicators, requiring the merest flick of a finger, yet there are still those who make turns or pull over without the slightest warning. – Unfortunately, consideration for others seems to be a thing of the past!
To be continued . . . .
Popularity: 7% [?]
