Another of the modern traffic lights installed less than a year ago, was severely damaged yesterday morning, in a three-vehicle accident at the eastern junction of Church and Camp streets, just opposite the St Agnes Nursery School.
No one was seriously hurt but the drivers and their passengers were shaken.
When Stabroek News arrived on the scene shortly after the collision, persons gathered there expressed awe that no one had been hurt. All three drivers denied that they were fault.
Two of the vehicles sustained serious damage and there was broken glass and vehicle pieces scattered around. Part of the traffic light lay on the ground, while one hung by a wire.
The damage done to that light affected the others in the area, causing congestion of traffic.
The lights at the eastern junction of Church and Camp streets as well as those at the North Road and Camp Street were blinking amber, indicating that motorists were to proceed with caution.
Reports are that a Toyota Carina, PJJ 2656 and a Rav 4, DPL 2-03 were proceeding south along Camp Street, while a Toyota Carina, PJJ 2876 was heading east on Church Street when the collision occurred.
The drivers give different versions as to how the accident occurred to a traffic officer on the scene, all claiming that the traffic lights were green.
Another traffic officer, who later arrived on the scene after hearing their explanation, said it would have been impossible for all of the lights to be green at the same time. However, the drivers held their ground that they were not at fault.
The driver of the car that was proceeding along Church Street, had a slightly swollen lip which was bleeding. The man, who wanted to remain unidentified, told Stabroek News that his light was green and he was proceeding across the double corner. He repeatedly stressed that his light had not yet turned to amber; it was still on green.
He said the diplomatic vehicle was on the outside lane while the other car was on the inside (the turning lane) and from his perception, they were inching forward as they waited for their light to change.
The man claimed it was the other car that “pulled out and hit me… My side was saying green. Both of them had to wait.”
Meanwhile the drivers of the other two vehicles both said the Church Street driver was wrong, since their light was green.
The driver of the car, which was in the turning lane, first said that he was proceeding down Camp Street at the time of the collision. But when questioned by a traffic officer as to what he was doing in the turning lane if he was going straight, the man changed his story saying, that he was turning.
That car hit the front fender of the DPL vehicle before the other motor car slammed into its side.
The impact spun the car on Camp Street several times and it came to rest inches away from the traffic light, which was already damaged by the other car.
Just a stone’s throw away was a bright yellow sign, which read: “Reduce speed, School zone ahead”.
Reckless motorists and vandals have caused damage to some 13 of the 47 newly installed traffic lights. Transport Minister Robeson Benn recently told this newspaper that the ministry would be examining the possibility of erecting some kind of barricade in front of the traffic lights so that in the event of any future accidents, they would be protected.
In the light of the increasing damage to the traffic lights, the ministry intends to make those responsible for the damage pay to have them fixed.
Prior to yesterday’s collision, a traffic light was damaged at the corner of North Road and Camp Street. (Zoisa Fraser)
