In most of the Western world the basic functionality of traffic lights are quite well respected. Most drivers will know that running a red light has the risk of a collision with on-coming traffic. In some cases running a red light automatically signals a camera flash and a subsequent fine at your door. However in Africa Brian explains that the traffic light is seldom respected and rather traffic flows are conducted like orchestra by traffic police. Room for modernization? Brian explores in his column…
Greetings to you superstars in solidarity with road safety – which is actually our safety. I hope by now, you have acquired your driving permits and that you didn’t ‘buy’ them! Because if you do, then you will precisely bring yourself to your creator sooner than you had imagined. And no one wants to hear of such news. We all would love to die a natural death (I hate to say that though). Lets avoid premature and avoidable deaths on the roads!
After recent elections in Somalia, the country is showing some signs of normality with the back to work stations of the traffic police.
Lets start with some good news from Somalia, Yipeeee! Traffic policemen are back on the streets of the Somali capital Mogadishu after a 20 year absence! That’s correct guys! Every one has known Somalia to be a home of a civil war but not any more because they got an elected president and their political environment seems to be getting sexier every minute that passes. Shukrannnnnnnn Allah!!! Now, the Somali traffic police aint messing around. They are professionally dealing with unlicensed drivers and cars with no number plates which are just some of the problems they face. Ok..now, lets go back to the topic:
Traffic police in some parts of Africa direct people even where there are traffic lights.
Africa’s urban roads are generally characterized by among many interesting features ‘non functional traffic lights’ and the ‘ever-smart traffic police’. This is no joke people. If you happen to be driving in the heart of many African cities, you will not miss seeing the traffic police directing the traffic to north, east, west and center. Good job these guys do, no?
Now, more interestingly, you will come to learn tha actually in the same place, there are traffic lights. These traffic lights are either non functional or they work but traffic give nothing about them. They may as well show red and all of a sudden, you will see the traffic police beckoning you to drive. Besides, the other drivers will have yelled already why you aint driving.
For female drivers, they are more patient and careful just in case you haven’t observed. The male drivers by then will have cursed the gods through their teeth and uttered all sorts of jibes and abuses. It even gets more interesting when it rains! Hahaha. Of course, you don’t expect the traffic police to be directing traffic in the rain. This coupled by non functional traffic lights (where they exist) bring in the much complained about ‘traffic jam’.
The ominous Africa traffic jam.
Now, we ask our selves. Who is cheaper? Hiring a traffic officer to direct traffic every day? Or Installing a traffic light which will work day and night? Is it rocket science that our planners can´t even reason this out? While we pedestrians and other road users will blame it all on our respective governments for successfully failing to ensure planned roads, it becomes our sole responsibility to ensure safety on our roads. Lets pledge to continue driving at recommended speeds and the absence of traffic lights or police officers shouldn’t be our primary reason to cause accidents on the roads. Much respects and stay safe!