By Keston Ballantyne

Copyright trinidadexpress

ONE of the first or main questions people ask when they see a vehicle stranded in flood waters, in a drain, or even in a river during or after heavy rain is: how they end up there? While driver behaviour plays a significant role (an area I can delve into in another article), there’s no doubt that infrastructure and policy also matter greatly.

Each country has its own rules and road safety culture. Yet, having rules on the books isn’t enough if they’re not enforced, or worse, if key safety measures are never established. I believe that the Ministry of Work and Transport has a major responsibility here. Proper policies and infrastructure improvements could dramatically reduce road hazards during the rainy season—and in many cases, shift accountability away from drivers who shouldn’t bear it alone.

Here are four urgent changes I propose to help save lives and livelihoods:

1. Flood gauges

Many flood-prone areas still lack clear flood-depth markers. Installing additional flood gauges beside roads, ideally positioned at known high-risk points, would help drivers quickly assess whether it’s safe to cross.

2. “FORD” warning signs

Under the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, which Trinidad and Tobago uses, there’s a triangular warning sign, “FORD”, which alerts drivers to water crossings. This is a globally recognised safety measure that should be formally added to driving regulations and installed wherever flooding is common.

3. Alert systems for drivers

We already use PANS (Public Alert Notification System). Why not extend this to drivers and vehicles, call it DANS (Driver Alert Notification System) or VANS (Vehicle Alert Notification System)? Licensing authorities already have phone numbers and e-mails for registered drivers and learners. A dedicated alert system could:

• send real-time updates on flooded roads

• offer safe-turn or route avoidance suggestions and even give alternative routes

• provide weather and safety tips

• Serve as a two-way channel between authorities and the public.

4. Rapid reporting and repair of road hazards

During heavy rains, depressions in roads often hidden beneath puddles, cause damage, or lead to stranding. A centralised, responsive reporting mechanism (such as a hotline or website) should allow citizens to flag dangerous potholes or sinkholes. Reports deemed urgent should prompt crews to fix the hazard within hours—or at worst, within one day.

The suggestions made can assist where:

• flood gauges prevent drivers from guessing water depth and keep drivers safe

• FORD signs are consistent and well-understood warning tools

• DANS/VANS can give timely, actionable information during emergencies.

• rapid repair systems can prevent potholes from becoming deadly traps.

With stronger policies, better infrastructure, and improved training, drivers and passengers can commute safely to work, school, or events without undue risk of being swept away or trapped.

I do hope the relevant authorities consider these measures, so that we have one less thing to worry about when we and our family and friends get caught on the road during heavy rains in any season.