Recent remarks by the Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh, highlight a growing problem on the streets of Georgetown — the illegal formation of second and third lanes during peak traffic hours. Especially on roads like Sheriff Street and Mandela Avenue, this issue is not just a matter of convenience for some drivers, but is a significant safety hazard for all road users.
Superintendent Singh is right to label this behaviour as both “dangerous and careless driving.” Creating makeshift lanes on roads not designed for such use increases the risk of accidents. These makeshift lanes, often formed in areas designated for cyclists or pedestrians, endanger vulnerable road users and escalate the chaos in already congested areas. The argument that such actions “ease the burden” of traffic is a shortsighted one that ignores the long-term risks of such reckless driving.
In peak-hour traffic, these illegal lanes may seem like a solution to gridlock, but they are not. As Singh pointed out, creating illegal lanes creates more problems than it solves, including confusion and potential accidents. More importantly, forming illegal lanes undermines the very purpose of traffic laws, which are designed to ensure safety and order on the roads. If every driver adopts this mentality of disregarding traffic laws for personal convenience, order on the roadways would descend into chaos.
One of the key challenges that Singh rightly addresses is enforcement. The Police Force is stretched thin during peak hours, and addressing one driver violating the law could disrupt the flow of traffic further. This is a real dilemma. However, this does not excuse the behaviour of drivers who choose to form illegal lanes. Traffic laws exist for a reason, and lack of immediate enforcement does not give drivers the license to break those laws.
Singh’s suggestion of using technology to capture violators is a practical one. Implementing traffic cameras or taking photographs of offending vehicles could be an effective way to curb this dangerous trend. When drivers know they are being watched, and real consequences are involved, they are less likely to flout the laws. This would not only improve road safety, but also help ease the burden on traffic officers, who cannot be at every intersection at all times.
Ultimately, Singh’s message is one of responsibility: drivers must practise courtesy, common sense, and defensive driving in order to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. The issue of illegal lane-formation is not just about breaking the law, it is about creating an environment in which roads become more dangerous for everyone. The call for stricter enforcement is essential; but so, too, is the need for a cultural shift in how drivers approach road safety.
In the end, the safety of the roads is a shared responsibility. It is up to each driver to make decisions that prioritize safety over convenience. While the police would continue to do their part, it is the drivers who must change their mindset and behaviour. Following traffic laws and respecting other road users is not just the law; it is the right thing to do.
To expand further on the issue raised by the Traffic Chief, it’s essential to recognize that the root of the problem goes beyond just illegal lane-formation. It reflects a broader disregard for traffic rules and a culture of impatience that plagues our roads. The rise in vehicular traffic in Georgetown, particularly during rush hours, has made commuting increasingly tedious. However, choosing to flout the law by creating unauthorized lanes is not the solution. Instead, it compounds the problem, making roads less safe for all.
One of the long-term solutions that could complement stricter law enforcement is public education. Authorities should consider launching awareness campaigns that target drivers’ attitudes toward road safety. Highlighting the dangers of illegal lane-formation and promoting the benefits of defensive driving could help to shift the mindset of drivers who currently believe that bending the rules is acceptable if it gets them to their destinations faster.
