What is it about the intense traffic delays on the islands’ roads that eludes our critical thinking and problem-solving skills as it relates to eradicating this growing problem? Why is it that it seems we have grown immune to those delays that we have resigned ourselves to suggesting that it is just everyday life in St. Lucia?
It has been suggested that part of the problem is poor police presence is the key areas. While that may be true it is hardly the solution to the problem.
Some have also blamed motoring road users and pedestrians alike for those heavy traffic delays. The fact that motorists are negligent in their compliance with road traffic laws and pedestrians indiscriminately traversing the streets also gives credence to this argument. Again, this may be a contributing factor but hardly the biggest problem.
When everything is taken into consideration, it appears that traffic management is the overarching issue, coupled with poor decision making when it comes to the execution of road works and roadside projects and it is relatively easy to highlight some examples.
A few months ago, road work, or was it WASCO work, commenced on the Chauseau Road on a busy Friday morning and lasted way into the afternoon rush hour creating near chaos in Castries.
Only this week the road between La Clery and the Darling Road was hit with a blockade for what seemed to be the commencement of unannounced road works, causing massive jams and motorists scrambling for alternative routes.
There are many other examples that can be highlighted where road users have had to exercise immense patience, but the foundation of this argument is made.
In an effort to help resolve this growing concern, would it not be more prudent to execute these road projects at night? It would certainly affect less of the motoring public thereby easing the frustration of that group as well as allowing easier conditions for contractors themselves to execute their jobs.
If we must see improvement in this department, the framers of these contracts must specify that these contracts, particularly those requiring the use of heavy equipment and the complete closure of sections of the road, must be executed at night. It is only then we will be able to begin a true attempt at alleviating some of the stress associated with this issue.
The issue of traffic management is certainly one more geared towards the police. There is a lot to be said about proper strategic planning. While the road network remains relatively constant, each road project brings a fair bit of new challenges. It appears to many that the roads blockages are put in place without much thought and motorists are left to fend for themselves with little assistance in sight.
Even while this will not entirely eliminate the issue of traffic congestion, and even while there may be some credible impediments, these two suggestions will drastically improve our traffic situation on the island.
The issue of how constant heavy traffic congestion affects national productivity is an issue we have addressed previously and need not be revisited but must remain an important focal point in all this.
Even if these suggestions are not attended to and completely discarded, the one thing we cannot do is nothing.