[dropcap]P[/dropcap]rivate vehicle owners, particularly bus drivers who operate the Jacmel/Morne D’Or route, have ample reasons to be happy; the rehabilitation of the main road from the Roseau junction to Morne D’Or and Vanard is at an advanced stage. Residents from Morne D’Or will no longer feel embarrassed as both drivers and passengers alike would utter rude remarks whenever buses had to travel to the Morne D’Or community. However, as is often the case, the solution to one problem gives rise to other problems. In this instance, reckless driving (particularly, over-speeding) and the resultant endangerment of pedestrians.
Of late, many vehicles can be seen speeding down the stretch of road from Morne D’Or to the Roseau junction as there are no potholes to regulate their speed. This poses great risk to pedestrians as they share the road with motor vehicles because the narrow kerb-sides are not level and can be difficult to negotiate. The situation is particularly dangerous on weekday mornings when commuters congregate near the Morne D’Or/Jacmel junction waiting for buses. On afternoons, the situation is also worrisome as a considerable number of children normally walk home from school. It is hoped that the engineers and contractors took that into consideration during their impact assessment.
The situation regarding the safety of pedestrians is widespread in the surrounding communities and the island on the whole. In some areas, kerb-sides are overrun with tall grass and other plant life which prevents drivers and pedestrians from having a clear view of the road. The situation becomes extremely dangerous when tourists and vendors are busy engaging each other besides the booths that are erected along certain roadways, case in point: the stretch of road beginning at the Marigot junction, near the secondary school.
An assessment published by the World Health Organization (2010) noted that Sain Lucia had no policies to separate road users from motor vehicle traffic to protect vulnerable road users. Saint Lucia received a score of zero for the enforcement of national speed limits. Further, the assessment showed that, as a category of road users, pedestrians represented 43 per cent of death as a result of road traffic incidents. Hopefully, this is no longer the case.
Nevertheless, pedestrians traversing the Roseau/Morne D’Or roadway are hoping to see speed bumps at strategic points to help regulate the speed of motor vehicles, which the potholes were able to regulate before roadworks began. The posting of traffic signs would also remind all to be responsible, careful and alert. The construction of proper sidewalks and the installation of some sort of barrier between roadways and sidewalks is also important. The provision of designated crosswalks/pedestrian crossings is essential.
In the interim, pedestrians can take the following advice issued by a reputable organisation: increase their visibility at night by carrying a flashlight and wearing retro-reflective clothing; if a sidewalk is not available, walk on the shoulder and face traffic; and avoid distractions such as electronic devices that take your attention off the road.
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