Gabs accidents and the suspect traffic lights

Traffic cops and officials from the roads and transport ministry remain convinced that drivers in Gaborone are careless and are the primary cause of some senseless accidents being witnessed at numerous intersections of the city. Yet the accidents continue to happen and the blame is on the traffic lights. These past few days numerous people have been coming out to say these traffic lights are notorious for opening the way for vehicles from opposite directions while the arrows also allow for those turning to the right to do so. Gatwe the worst of this scenario is quite evident at the intersection in Ledumadumane going into Mogoditshane from Block 7 location. This publication has in recent weeks followed this matter with statistics of such accidents but responsive officers, including those from the city council have insisted that drivers are the ones who are impatient and incautious, and even suggested that if indeed there is such a belief that the traffic lights are to blame, then it is upon the drivers to exercise caution and practice defensive driving when at the intersections. Perhaps these officers also need to just go spend a whole day out there to observe what happens so that they too inform themselves better on what actually could be the problem. Of course we hear they can monitor the performance of the traffic lights from the comfort of their offices, but for avoidance of doubt, deploy some men to go out there and keep an eye on these lights.