You don’t have to be a driving instructor or a transport official to see it — the road markings in Saint Lucia are fading fast. White lines that once clearly divided lanes are now almost invisible. Pedestrian crossings have nearly blended into the asphalt. Arrows and turning guides are so worn down that in some places, they’re little more than a faint shadow of paint.
For experienced drivers, it’s an annoyance. For new drivers and student drivers, it’s a genuine hazard. Learning to drive is already nerve-wracking enough without having to guess where your lane ends, where the next pedestrian crossing begins, or which way you’re supposed to turn.
Driving schools are feeling the pressure. Instructors tell me that they now have to spend more time explaining what should be on the road, rather than simply guiding students to follow what’s already there. The problem isn’t just about passing a test — it’s about building safe driving habits for life.
But this is about more than just learners. Faded markings affect everyone. Without visible lane dividers, drivers tend to drift. Without clear pedestrian crossings, people risk their lives stepping into traffic. Without directional arrows, roundabouts and junctions become chaos.
We like to talk about road safety campaigns, new traffic laws, and driver education — all important. But none of that works if the basic tools for safe navigation are missing right in front of us. Road markings are not decoration. They are silent traffic officers, guiding every movement on our roads.
It’s time for the Ministry of Infrastructure to make road repainting a priority, not an afterthought. We cannot expect our roads to be safe when they’re barely visible. And we certainly cannot expect our newest drivers to succeed if the road itself is failing them.
Clear markings save lives. Right now, Saint Lucia’s fading lines are telling us one thing loud and clear: it’s time to act.