@David…

I *have* reported the matter to the “men in blue”. The audio to a 911 call is comic materiel, which I’ve recorded, and which I will provide shortly…

@J: “In situations like this you need to forget that you are a pacifist.

With respect, it takes the greatest of strength to know that not punching their lights out is likely to gain the greatest good.

Please trust me on this….

Reading some of the above comments, it is obvious that driving in Barbados is very dangerous.
I do hope those responsible would see the need to address this situation with urgency.
Many of the comments touched on the junction near the BET building, but there are many roads that are just as bad which can be solved by using common sense.
Throughout the Island, North to South; East to West there are dangers which existed for many years .(1) Pot-holes,(many near the curb and near corners),some so deep I am amazed that some person hasn’t died as result. (2) Bushes and grass covered most of the already narrow lanes and blocking exit junctions. (3)Newly resurfaced roads that are soon dug up and left with wide gaping holes.(4) Bumpy sections which often leaves one feeling nauseated.Broken barriers not repaired and drum containers placed in holes on the roads and on broken pavements for many years—the list goes on.
I am asking the question!
Who is responsible & who is accountable? What has the government minister to say?Does he travel by road?
Why is it that no government gets it right?
What are the Insurance companies doing about it? Where is the road tax contribution being spent?
Does one has to protest like the planned ‘slow-drive’ in St. Lucy a few month ago before the minister decided it is a serious matter?

CHRIS:
I read your comment on the incident with the motorist.
You were right not to retaliate. Although you should have reported the incident at the time, you should put it firmly at the back of your mind. The guy might think he has got away with it but he will meet his match one day.
Indiscipline in Barbados is on the increase and at times, very frightening. Our young people are witnessing these changes and it’s all becoming a norm, like the cellphone users while driving. What does the future brings?
I believe the government is fully aware of this deteriorating standard but it is not in its interest to address it.
We voted for governments in the hope it will improve our situation, but once it gains power it develops amnesia.
Road rage is due to indiscipline and frustration on the part of some people.The care less attitude which the politician adopts when in power is not at all helpful. This attitude might have been observed by some Bajans, reflected in their behaviour and attitude.
Addressed to all parties.

I’m adding my two cents here as my attempts to get anywhere with Police or MTW. At least here I can vent.

There seems to be no one taking responsibility for stating once and for all who has the right of way when crossig the ABC highway from Waterford Bottom to Hothersal Turning, from Greenhill to Jackson, or any other crossing from two lanes to one! Further, by the Garfield Sobers roundabout from the BET area to Sargeant’s Village, there seem to be three lanes now, and no clear directions. I have no problem going around to approach the Bermuda Triangle or the Forde’s rd side, but I get cussed every time I cross over to Sargeant’s Village. No matter what lane I am in, and I usually stick to what was formerly the left lane to go straight there, I GET CUSSED by someone in the other lane also going straight. I always give way because I have no intention of getting into a foolish accident, but it is very unnerving and one of these days I feel I might just snap, cut somebody off and tell them to suck my exhaust!

Anyway, if there is anyone out there who understands how to actually cross over according to the law and the insurance companies…the Police seem to like that one…please let me know.

Thanks

Several months ago Bajans were told how they should drive on the ABC by the responsible minister in a newspaper article. I remember reading it to my wife who was as dumbstruck as I. In the article we were told that we needn’t bother with keeping to the left except to pass because the distances between roundabouts were too short. So, according to the (ir)responsible minister, we not only create dangerous situations for learned drivers and foreigners here in Barbados but we allow Bajans who often go abroad to have no training or experience in what are considered to be internationally accepted practices for safe and courteous driving.
To Chris Halsall. You did the right thing. Road rage will only increase with the fiscal and physical conditions we face here not to mention the status quo and hopefully your example will be made known, remembered and duplicated by others facing similar circumstances. I can’t wait to read more on the emergency call.

Dark Nite

My namesake promised a lot more for a lot less. Since you knows everthing explain dis $128 million. I dont get it ,can understand de arithmetic.

John Boyce excelled himself today.
Never has so much sheer and utter drivel been spoken to so many by one man.

A babe in arms would blush for him.

We dont need expensive ( but effective ) flyovers all is well its a cinch lovely big roundabouts ( where no one knows where they or anyone else is going) a snip at $128 million

HAs anyone else noticed that the highway markings for almost all the roundabout approaches end about fifty feet before the entrance into the roundabouts? The excuse of new markings on new surfaces cannot be used as there has been more than enough time to finish off the the last few feet. I actually witnessed four cars line up at the Simpson Motors roundabout on the Cheffette side the other day. One was turning into the Cheffette area, one was going straight and two were turning to go through to Cave Hill, and the other two fought for territory to go around on the inside lane. One went down towards SM while the other went completely around , up the highway then into the area by H&B hardware.
There is that little, partially sunken inside ‘lane’ and it looks as though it too is getting used! Again…nothing on the road to say 1, 2, 3, or 4 lanes!

Hmmmm

@ RE Engineer

“Barbadians can read and write well compared to general world standards but the ability to reason and discern things for themselves is still clearly lacking”

Seen on April 18 midmorning:

Why would a yellow bus stop in the OUTISDE lane of the ABC highway (between SJPP and Bussa heading north/downhill), so that passengers could run from the sidewalk across the lanes of traffic to get on the bus?

Why would the people think that with other cars hurtling down the hill it was smart to run across the highway rather than signal to the bus to pull forward a few yards and come at least to the inside lane?

The screech of the following cars braking to avoid the people was like a siren wailing.

@ru4real

Thanks. I am re-assured now 🙂

Nevertheless, I wonder what (if anything) is going through the minds of the passengers already on the bus.

hey Jude

You are right there is no point is having pedestrian crossings on a major highway. Its an accident waiting to happen.

Pedestrian underpasses are notorious for being prime sites for muggings , litter and drainage.

Flyovers are most suitable for places were space is at a premium. They will not disfigure the landscape on the contrary planted with hanging shrubs and flowers they can become a feature.

Road tunnels are simply not feasible here.
They are super expensive and cause maximum disruption to build.
Have you thought where would the traffic go whilst you were digging tunnels under the junctions?
Also in this climate which has excessive rainfall they would need almost constant drainage as a heavy shower could easily transform them into a raging torrent within minutes.

Tunnels are also accident black spots.
More people have been killed in tunnels than have ever fell off flyovers.
When a accident happens they are inevitably blocked and turn into death traps.

Have you noticed how increasingly difficult it is becoming to drive at night?
First of all many drivers are failing to observe the common courtesy of dimming their lights.
Some headlamps are over wattage and are virtual flood lamps,more suitable for use with night cricket.
We drive on the left side of the road and our headlights are designed to dip towards the left side of the road and away from oncoming traffic.In the US its the opposite. So when US made cars, headlamps and bulbs are fitted to vehicles here, the dip beam will slant towards the right or center of the road,and into the eyes of drivers of oncoming traffic.
Many headlamps on vehicles are badly adjusted, so too are additional lighting fitted.
But by far this is one of the biggest culprits of dazzle .In the past headlamp lenses were made of glass, today they are of plastic, which quickly become discoloured and dirty on the inside.The light striking such lenses, become distorted and fragmented,and is emitted in many lines over a wide area in front of the headlamp,making it difficult for an oncoming driver to see past.
And of course we may be driving around with dirty windshields.
But the Minister of Transport,importers and Garages need to look into the question of the made- -for- US lighting equipment,as well as headlamp beam testing.