TRAFFIC SAFETY IN ESWATINI

Sir,

We are used to seeing roadblocks along our highways. For instance, heading out of Manzini there is often a traffic Police presence right at the last set of traffic lights as you exit Manzini towards Matsapha.

Many times, vehicles are pulled off or have to stop on the right hand lane because they have been pulled over by the police.

This seems to be a very dangerous procedure and occurs on many other sections of road. On the new highway exiting Manzini towards Siteki, there was even such a stop at one of the minor circles, where suddenly vehicles bunched up and caused a concentration of traffic.

Experience

Why I mention this is because while all this is at going, the traffic situation in Manzini (and I am only mentioning Manzini because this is something I experience daily) seems to be getting worse.

Stop streets – In many areas you stop at a stop street at your own risk. This occurs daily all around Manzini. Most cars seem to take the stop sign as an advisory notice.

What is even more frightening is the speed that motorist go through these stop streets without even slowing down.

Cellphone

What is even more astonishing is that should a vehicle be following you at some of the stop streets and you obey the stop sign one even has the same vehicle over-taking you at the stop while the driver of the vehicle is operating a cellphone.

For instance, there is a four-way stop street between Coates Valley and Sydney Williams School, which regularly has collisions simply because most drivers race through without halting. A regular traffic police presence would greatly assist in this issue and also safeguard the lives of pedestrians many of whom are school children. However, consistency is the key as this must be done regularly to have a positive effect.

To even add an extra element of danger to the aforementioned is the number of people who are texting on their cellphones while operating a motor vehicle. This is so common that I sincerely believe the authorities ignore this and no longer enforce this infringement.

Simply stand on the pavement in any section of Manzini and observe cars passing by, you will probably find at least 40 per cent of drivers holding a cellphone in their hands talking or attempting to text.

Many people can barely operate a motor vehicle safely; now add the attempt to text while doing so. Well, that presents a real danger.

Lest we forget, we even have the pedestrians who are also on their phones crossing streets and navigating their way through town totally oblivious to what is going on around them and in many instances, narrowly avoiding being run down.

In conclusion, if the police presence is limited to the highways, the dangerous driving will continue to get worse in the city as there is no action being taken there.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: