Lead us not into temptation
The issue of traffic congestion, especially in Accra, the nation’s capital, has gone beyond mere discussion.
It appears the more we discuss it, the more the problem persists.
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The situation is common to all roads leading in and out of Accra.
On the Cape Coast-Accra, Ho-Accra, Kumasi- Accra, Aburi -Accra, Aflao-Accra roads for example, one is likely to spend double the normal time to make it on a typical day.
The effect on productivity and economic cost to individuals and the state can be anybody’s guess.
The situation within the capital is no different.
Little wonder any time after lunch, you see workers desperately trying to go home to avoid traffic.
Other workers will spend longer hours in the office and at drinking spots with the intention of letting the traffic ease.
The result of this is that, they are likely to appear in the office the next morning more tired than they left the previous day.
Already, it appears the Citi Fm initiative dubbed, ‘War Against Indiscipline’ on our roads has lost steam and rightly so, because that is not their mandate and they cannot continue policing motorists forever and ever.
This initiative put the spotlight on erring drivers, including some prominent citizens.
As to whether it has achieved its aim, time will tell. Even with the police, there is a limit to what they can do by way of policing and dealing with errant drivers.
While we laud Citi Fm and the police for the initiative, it is also imperative that government takes the bull by the horns and takes pragmatic measures to solve the problem once and for all.
The essence of government is to device ways to solve societal problems.
All other functions, ceremonial etc, are only secondary.
What even makes the situation more frustrating is the blatant disregard for the very rules that the police have been spear heading.
It is not uncommon these days, at the peak of traffic to see police dispatch riders escorting some vehicles, to and from traffic.
This is clearly contrary to a recent police advert which throws light on the categories eligible to use sirens and dispatch riders because most of the ones we see do not fall within those categories.
Why the police, the guardians of the law, will be the same to flout it is difficult to explain.
In all this hullabaloo, there is a way that government can intervene.
This may involve some road engineering, including making some dual carriage and in certain cases, creating alternative routes.
It should not be lost on us that sometimes, accidents are caused when drivers spend endless hours in traffic, get tired, impatient and become frustrated.
During a recent trip from Cape Coast to Accra, it took me seven good hours for this journey, which on a normal day should take at most three hours.
This is untenable and most uncalled for.
We cannot continue on this path and the earlier government came in to lessen our burden, the better it will be for us.
People will be named and shamed for flouting the traffic regulation, but how about making it unnecessary and impossible for them to flout the rules? Let us not lead them into temptation.
Writer’s E-mail: [email protected]/[email protected]
