Khan: Motorists must obey pedestrian crossings

MOTORISTS were yesterday urged to observe the regulations governing pedestrian crossings or feel the full brunt of the law. The stern warning came from Works and Transport Minister Franklyn Khan, when he launched the Ministry’s plans to improve road safety and reduce the carnage on the roads at the Ministry’s London Street, Port-of-Spain office. Khan said effective yesterday, 20 fully equipped pedestrian priority zebra crossings, that is, zig zag markings and flashing lights giving pedestrians the right of way, became operational throughout the country. They are mostly located close to schools. He said 15 more were expected to come on stream before the end of the year.

He said motorists who do not observe these pedestrian crossings will feel the full brunt of the law. Khan said “pedestrian crossings are foreign” to some motorists. However, the Minister later acknowledged that while a driver can be charged for not observing a pedestrian crossing, the fine was a mere $200 and the necessary legislation might have to be taken to Parliament for amendment to increase the penalty. He also reminded pedestrians to exercise caution at those crossings without the flashing lights and zig zag markings. Khan said there will also be the installation of crash barriers to avoid accidents along the Beetham Highway and certain parts of the Churchill Roosevelt Highway. He said last week the Ministry invited tenders for the supply of the barriers, also called “jersey barriers.”

Other plans geared towards road safety as announced by the Minister are the installation of “cat eyes” along the Priority Bus Route from Port-of-Spain to Arima. Khan said the contract for the project was awarded last week and installation is expected to start in early June. He also revealed that $5 million will be spent on improving road signage, as part of an effort to make roads more user-friendly. The money will be taken from the $50 million fund allocated for road improvements.

There will also be a road markings campaign (drawing of white lines) in the coming months, and the continuation of the drive to clean up the highways of illegal structures. Khan said vendors who sell items like newspapers have already been stopped from plying their trade at major intersections because of the dangers involved. To date, there have been 65 deaths resulting from 53 road accidents, compared to last year when there were 74 deaths and 57 accidents.