Dear Editor,
It is largely agreed by law-abiding citizens that the traffic situation calls for serious and sustained attention and effort at all levels. If not, the daily unrestrained exuberance (indiscipline and lawlessness) only promises to deteriorate further. I share some thoughts on three circumstances that cause some concern.
First, in the last year or so, there appears to have been at least three different names attached to the position of Traffic Chief. I could be corrected on this, but believe that I have it right. There might be mitigating factors such as extended leave, promotions, retirements, and so forth. Still, I submit that whatever the underlying reason, this is not constructive for either the Traffic Department, or the larger public. The philosophy, vision, practices, standards, and expectations of any Traffic Chief require duty time to gain traction and acceptance for such to become the modus vivendi of both the ranks in blue, and those citizens reckless enough to push further the red line of danger. I hope that the Traffic Chief’s post stabilizes.
Second, recently I am sitting in a car that is proceeding west on Lamaha Street. The vehicle is stopped halfway between Thomas and Camp Streets, while waiting for the light to change. As it changes to green and the line crawls forward slowly, a minibus decides to overtake the long slow moving line from way behind, with horn blaring, while hurtling dangerously past. It is but one instance of the madness prevalent on the roads.
Editor, what is even worse and highly unacceptable was that a traffic rank was situated right at the light at the same corner of Lamaha and Camp Streets. There was no way that he could not have seen or heard that bus transformed into a speeding audible warhead. Of course, he could be excused for indifference and inaction, given that he was busy laughing his head off and in deep conversation with a female member of the public.
To my regret, the best that I could do was to shout at him as the light was still green and my vehicle on the move. If it was red, there would have been a challenge, serial number taken, and possibly arrest (for me) on allegedly disorderly conduct. This irks.
In similar fashion, I have observed repeatedly traffic ranks on official motorcycles turning a blind eye to flagrant disregard for obvious moving violations of traffic rules and regulations. These ranks are on the scene and with a commanding view of what is happening, but they might as well be on the moon. I go further and suggest that they ought not to be on the job either.
Editor, unless these visible guardians of the law take the public’s business and its safety seriously, then the mayhem will continue and society injured more and more. Something should give.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
