New lights dangerous if not observed, say engineer
Yesterday we reported on the erection of new traffic lights in two places along Central American Boulevard. Today we noticed that some of those lights are now functioning… and found that the intersection at Mahogany Street is one big accident waiting to happen.
Standing at the busy intersection at the corner of Central American Boulevard and Mahogany street was a scary experience this afternoon, as we watched a number of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians commit a number of traffic offences, that could easily have caused accidents and even the loss of lives. It became clear that either people just don’t care or are just plain ignorant of traffic signals and the role they play in allowing the safe and smooth flow of traffic. According to Colwin Flowers, the City Engineer, the new set of lights installed is ideal for controlling the heavy traffic on Central American Boulevard, but because the signal allows simultaneous straight ahead and left turn movements, unlike the lights at Cinderella plaza, they can be deadly if not adhered to.
Colwin Flowers, City Engineer, Belize City Council
“The first is that pedestrians are still walking diagonally and in any direction through the intersection. The second would be left turning vehicles. Some of them are not adhering to the left turn pocket. Third there are vehicles making U-turns through the intersection which is clearly prohibited. Another would be running the red light. Very serious. It is this type of violation that leads to death. Another would be pedestrians not crossing within the crosswalk area, but crossing outside of the intersection. You need to utilize the area which is the extension from the curve to cross the street.”
Flowers says it was a mistake that the installation by Central Government did not include a walk and don’t walk signal. As Flowers observed along with us, drivers are moving swiftly on the green light without paying attention to people who are crossing the intersection.
Colwin Flowers
“One for the motorist, don’t insist on the green light. They should still keep control. There will still be pedestrians crossing the street. Prior to the installation of this traffic signal, drivers were looking at eye levels, now they are focusing on the green light at top. Keep looking at eye level and use your best judgement. For pedestrians, it is very difficult for them since we do not have a walk, don’t walk phase. We ask them to be very cautious.”
To ensure that drivers adhere to the traffic signal, the traffic department will have officers stationed at the intersection and anyone caught committing an offence will be charged. Reporting for news five, I am Jacqueline Woods.
On behalf of pedestrians in the Central American Boulevard area we beg motorists to please drive with care and urge the Government to embark now on a program to educate drivers on how to use these new fangled things called traffic lights.
