Fellow WeblogBahamas blogger, Dr. Sidney Sweeting, recently posted this article about the town planning of our city and the frustration experienced while trying to drive around our streets.
Of course he was spot on, but I think I detected what the problem really is while attempting to make my way to Bernard Road via Village Road South recently.
Believe it or not, the problem is us!
That's right, those of us that attempt to drive according to the rules of the road and create as few problems as possible are the problem!
Let me explain...
The Village Road, Bernard Road, Soldier Road and Wulff Road round-about must be one of the busiest on the island, and it has four or five developments that draw a tremendous volume of traffic to the area.
On one corner there is a City Market Food store, on the other is a shopping plaza incorporating a Kentucky Fried Chicken branch. Across the street Burger King and Wendy's beckon the hungry. And if that's not enough there's an Esso, On the Run gas station is on the other corner.
Now here's the kicker.
Each of the parking lots have entrances/exits, and without fail drivers trying to leave will inevitably go the closest entrance without regard for fitting into the traffic flow with the most ease. They'll cross the traffic to go in the opposite direction or be damned.
Add to this those drivers that cut through the various parking lots to 'beat' the traffic, and we have chaos at this and many other intersections.
I remain convinced that if Police were stationed at these various locations during high traffic times, many of these issues will go away because they can correct the bad habits of our driving public. That is if the Police themselves know the rules of the road.
To reiterate. We're marching to the beat of a different drummer by trying to drive properly. So those of us that attempt to obey the rules might need to fall in line with the offenders. Maybe we should all try to make lanes where there are none, cut across traffic when it would be better to go to the exit a bit further away to fit into the traffic flow, and take short cuts through every corner business.
When I lived in Toronto it seemed we all lived in fear of undertaking minor a infraction because a Policeman/woman might charge you with a violation.
I don't think that was because the Toronto Police Force have more officers per capita than the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF). It's because what might be considered 'minor' infractions are enforced.
This would be a good place for the RBPF to start in an attempt to take a bite out of crime.
Let's hope Mr. Reginald Ferguson, our new Police Commissioner can fulfill his promises.
