Dear Editor,
While a police presence at busy junctions during peak hours is always welcome, there are times when these police tend to believe that the lights are not keeping the traffic flowing.
I am sure that almost all motorists using the Diamond junction are satisfied with the setting of the red as well as the green lights both when moving or waiting for them to change. It would be welcome if a traffic cop were there if the light is not working, but it is quite comical and contrary for the traffic cop to stand in the middle of the road and signal vehicles to stop when the light says go, and similarly, for him to allow motorists to go when the red light is on.
It would appear to the police that they are assisting the traffic to flow faster, but this is not necessarily so. The traffic might be flowing faster, yes, if a vehicle is allowed to pass through the red light, but it will be slower for the ones that are stopped when they should be going. I would advise the police traffic ranks to allow the lights to do their work without intervening and confusing the motorists.
What needs to be done along the road in the vicinity of the traffic lights at Diamond is to mark ‘Yield’ on the left lane for vehicles turning into the Diamond Scheme from the north. This would allow a right of way for traffic turning right into the Scheme from Grove direction.
Also, the private school in Grove Market Street results in a number of vehicles turning into and out of the street between 7.30 and 8.30 in the morning, and between 2.30 and 3 in the afternoon. Many times drivers on the main road would stop directly in front of that street waiting for the traffic lights to change.
I would humbly suggest to the relevant traffic authority to indicate by way of a white line where a vehicle must stop while waiting for the traffic lights to change. This will assist in keeping the entrance to Market Street clear, because some drivers are very discourteous when they are asked to pull up a little in order to give clearance in front of the street.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
