Copyright trinidadexpress
I regularly traverse both major and minor roads across Trinidad, and as an advocate for road and driver safety, it is deeply concerning to witness the many challenges that motorists face daily. While road upgrades are often undertaken, they are rarely completed in full. Maintenance of street lighting is delayed, and although lighting is essential on all roads, I strongly believe the highways should never be short-changed when it comes to proper upkeep and illumination. On October 21 at approximately 7.45p.m., while driving southbound between the Caroni entrance and the Munroe Road turnoff, I switched from the centre to the left lane and noticed a dark figure on the shoulder, less than a kilometre ahead. From a distance, I switched to high beams to identify it more clearly, only to realise, upon approaching, that it was a person dressed entirely in dark clothing, with their skin seemingly covered in black paint or mud. That sight was extremely alarming, because I’ve witnessed drivers frequently using the shoulder to undertake when overtaking is not possible, and I often see pedestrians standing on or attempting to cross the highway or awaiting transport both day and night-time. Given the poor or non-existent lighting in many areas, it is only a matter of time before tragedy strikes. I urgently appeal for the repair, replacement, and installation of lights along all the highway routes to help prevent loss of life. Another pressing concern is the northbound ramp of the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway, near the Chaguanas exit. Since the road expansion and the addition of a new lane, the markings have not been properly redone. Attempts to cover the old lines with black paint have failed, leaving drivers uncertain about lane alignment when merging from the ramp. This confusion poses a serious safety risk. In fact, a recent video circulating on social media shows a vehicle caught in this exact situation alongside a police car. While some may assume the driver was pulled over for unsafe driving, even though it can be for something completely different. I hope the authorities understand that this confusion could happen to anyone, if the driver was pulled aside for not maintaining the correct lane. These two examples are perhaps the most urgent, but they are not isolated. Other daily hazards include roadkill, items falling from vehicles, damaged road surfaces, and uneven roads, among others. This raises the question: which authorities are responsible for addressing these issues promptly? T&TEC for lighting maintenance? Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (MTCA) for road markings and repairs? Dead Animal Removal Team (DART) for clearing roadkill? Instead of these issues being highlighted solely on social media, where they are often treated as entertainment, I recommend that the relevant Ministry establish a dedicated unit to routinely inspect highways, identify hazards, and address them in a timely manner. Every day, we witness accidents of varying severity in which lives and livelihoods are lost. Drivers already face significant challenges; road safety should not be another. The maximum speed limit of 100 km/h was set with the assumption that road conditions are safe under normal circumstances. It is therefore imperative that these conditions are maintained. I sincerely hope these matters are treated with the urgency they deserve, in the interest of preserving life and ensuring safer roads for all. Keston Ballantyne
