Check UWI traffic lights

I write in connection with the traffic lights located at the University of the West Indies entrance in St Augustine.

Mr Minister, I have decided to bring this matter to your attention, since a letter was forwarded to Mr Indar Maharaj, Traffic Management, Ministry of Works and Transport, Priority Bus Route, Macoya, Tunapuna and the problem still exists. This traffic light poses a serious threat to the lives of pedestrians crossing at this point.

As you may be aware Mr Minister, hundreds of employees and students use this area to cross to and from the University of the West Indies every day of the week, both during the day and at nights. During the course of the day the traffic lights reflect — green, amber and red. However, at nights, this traffic light is continuously flashing amber.

From my knowledge regarding traffic lights, a flashing amber means one must give way to pedestrians on the crossing, but can continue if there is nobody on the crossing.

I wish to bring to your attention that at nights, drivers apparently believe that a ‘flashing amber’ means to speed through or race through the traffic light. Drivers have no regard for pedestrians at this crossing. When they drive past, all one can hear is "whoosh, whoosh."

Further, the majority of these vehicles speeding are private vehicles. Police vehicles also have no regard for pedestrians at this crossing. This is definitely a very dangerous area at nights with this "flashing amber sign" especially as the area with the pedestrian crossing is unlit. The street light is away from the crossing.

I am therefore, on behalf of the other employees and students, appealing to you Mr Minister, to use your good office to have this traffic light revert to green, amber and red at nights, as soon as possible. You will be saving a lot of lives. I reiterate, it is very dangerous.

A HARTWICK

Arima