There is talk and concern in the air once again – after a fatal and near-fatal accident involving vehicles and motorcycles. The fatal accident is not the first to take place at the DBMC junction. That junction has always been an accident waiting to happen – only that “the authorities”, including our sleeping policemen, did not seem to realise that. Will we see action now, or will the concern die down after nine days to be followed by the usual inaction?
Surely the solution must involve a roundabout, ALONG WITH well designed public education programmes on roundabout etiquette. It is high time we ease out of the mediocrity that characterizes so much about this country and enter the age of modernity and sophistication.
And while we are at it, consider a roundabout for the old Public Works junction as well, and yes, accompanied by relentless public education on the use of roundabouts.
We are now clamouring for the use of helmets by motorcyclists to be made mandatory. A former Senior Traffic Officer is one of those joining the clamour. I take the point that often we see more clearly when we are in retirement. I hope he has influence on our sleeping Traffic authorities. Apart from not wearing helmets, everyone knows that motorcyclists rule in this do-what-you-want country. The lack of discipline in this country is epitomized by the behaviour of motorcyclists. They are the scourge of road users. Do speed limits apply to them also? Are their bikes subjected to annual inspections? Are their mufflers checked for noise? As a matter of fact, are any vehicle mufflers and speakers checked for noise? Are vehicle inspections more than merely perfunctory? And are these perfunctory inspections condoned by the bosses?
Some time ago I wrote about Speed and Noise on Federation Drive, a road that adjoins our main hospital. Copies were sent to all of the authorities. I called for creative thinking by the authorities to make the hospital zone a quiet, patient-friendly one – more livable for residents and workers at the DCFH, and to avoid the accident waiting to happen near the new hospital exit. Are the authorities aware of the problem? Are they working on a solution? Have they considered, for example, making Federation Drive one-way going east from the roundabout to Tyrell’s Lane or Rose Street, among other possible solutions? Or are they waiting until the accident does happen … and the clamour emerges?
Dancea Lipson
Goodwill
30th December 2020
Certainly roundabouts are the solution at the junction of Charles Avenue and Public Works. In both locations are on flat land with ample space for large roundabouts.
I stress the need for flat land and large roundabouts because small roundabouts on an incline or more a hazard than a help. Furthermore, roundabouts should only be placed where they are needed. The roundabouts Canefield Airport and the Roseau Ferry Terminal are superfluous, as is also the roundabout at Pont Cassé.
This individual you have a point, but in terms of “…to make the hospital zone a quiet, patient-friendly one…” I believe this is not a road issue here – I would want to think that this was taken into consideration during the design phase of the building which would be incorporated during the build stage. Traffic studies, noise etc is taken into account when constructing especially projects of this magnitude.
One of the interesting things that I would hope that they considered is the VOLUME of traffic to a from the hospital. Also I would want to think that they also considered road work in terms of a new main entrance and exit for the hospital facing Stock Farm/Gutter area at the back to facilitate employees and emergency access to the hospital.
For one if we are going to have let us assume a level I trauma hospital on the island the Federation Drive road should be for the hospital a back road and left as an improved residential area like it is now.