IT is commendable that authorities in Bahrain are studying new plans to cut traffic jams and promote road safety.
But why does this leave one with the feeling that it is too little and too late?
The biggest challenge for a smoother flow of traffic seems to be promoting a culture of safe driving.
Some impatient drivers give the impression that they are in a hurry to get God knows where and weave in and out of traffic recklessly, without even having the decency to use indicators. One has to be constantly on alert to drivers around him either cutting him off or tailgating him.
And then there are others who have one hand on the steering wheel with the other busy scrolling on their mobile phones. Not only do these FOMO addicts slow down traffic but they also pose a grave risk to other motorists, bikers and motorcyclists using the road.
Agreed, it is important to have emergency lanes on all roads but anyone who has been caught in a traffic jam will vouch for the fact that some motorists use these lanes as an extra lane to drive on! One wonders if these violators are ever brought to justice, or if the many high-tech cameras around the nation are put to good use in such situations?
One way to promote traffic safety for all road users is to force the violators caught on camera to undergo a refresher course in driving lessons. Go back to the basics, in a way.
Wonder what happened to a proposal, mooted some time ago, to ban trucks, tankers and other heavy duty vehicles during peak office/school timings and restricting them to specific times of the day? Due to the heavy loads they carry, they are inherently slow and an obstruction to the smooth flow of traffic.
Another point to note is that no one bothers with the yellow box any more, and there have been no reports of anyone being penalised for this violation. The simple reason seems to be that no one is monitoring this gross violation of traffic rules.
Effective implementation of traffic rules, stricter monitoring of roads, swifter justice in case of violations, raising awareness of road safety and a continuing campaign to promote safe driving are all needed in equal measure for a safer driving experience.
Concerned motorist
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