With new road developments underway in the city of Georgetown, Traffic Chief Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh has raised concerns about the lack of adequate road signage, particularly on Delhi and New Haven Streets, Prashad Nagar, Georgetown. Speaking during a Police Traffic Advisory Programme on Monday, Singh emphasised that the absence of clear and visible signs is leading to dangerous traffic behavior and increased risk of accidents.
Addressing the issue, Singh noted that while road markings are in place on Delhi Street, they might not be enough to guide drivers effectively.
“At some critical points where there may be referred to as a conflict point, there isn’t a sign and drivers know that they should yield at a certain point just to observe traffic from the other direction, but they bluntly refuse to do so”, he said.
The ongoing expansion on these streets has been partially completed, yet according to Singh, crucial safety measures like signage are lagging behind. He stressed the importance of installing appropriate signs to help reduce accidents and ensure that road users adhere to the rules.
“Where there is a need for a stop sign, there should be one…it would be the only way to assist road users to comply with the rules of the road and or cause a reduction of accidents to occur. Where there are persons who are oblivious to what is happening, there are some who bluntly refuse to comply with the rules of the road or markings… they proceed and with proceeding across a roadway they come into contact with other road users”.
Singh emphasised that the need for signs on these critical stretches of road cannot be overstated. He mentioned that many of the new road segments are still under construction, and in these areas, proper signage is either lacking or completely absent.
“Looking at how it is happening right now, the requirement for more signs to be on the road is necessary, it is much needed. If we take a careful look at what is happening in the street… one would get the impression that people are breaching the rules of the road, but there is no sign to say stop…”, he explained.
He urged drivers and other road users to comply with directions given by police officers and to pay close attention to temporary signs and markings as they navigate these evolving roadways. Recognising that the sensitisation process is ongoing, Singh promised that efforts to educate the public would intensify.
“Videos will be made available by all means necessary on social media platforms, and it will have far-reaching impacts to enable you,” he added.
Singh’s call to action is part of a broader effort by the police traffic department to ensure that as road infrastructure expands, safety measures keep pace. (G9)
