Written by: Usama Dandare
Over the years, traffic signals were controlled by electrical or mechanical devices, but with the advent of the microprocessor, they are now programmed and controlled by computer systems.
These signal controls are designed around a communication system that ties individual intersection signals together through a central computer system or a series of computers that can coordinate the timing sequence of multiple intersections.
The main objective of these traffic signals is to provide convenient signal coordination to motorists, in order to help reduce accidents and save lives.
However, the rate at which these traffic lights are abused in Sokoto State – by both road users and the government – must leave any spectator wondering whether the state government is only wasting tax-payer’s hard earned money to beautify the city center and is bereft of ideas on how best to utilize these pretty gadgets.
In this part of the world lives a widely accepted belief that traffic lights present the best solution to road accidents more than any other option. As such, quite a number of them have been installed all over the capital city of Sokoto, even in places where no such legitimate operational warrant exists.
It is on record that the attitudes and misunderstandings that sometimes lead to unjustified installations of these traffic lights in the state has done more harm than the initial purpose on which they were installed. This is why it is absolutely imperative to thoroughly study the location, road conditions and capacity before determining where to install traffic lights and where not to.
Traffic signals should be used only where lesser forms of control have proven ineffective because they always create more intersection delay and minor movements may experience excessive unexpected delays, particularly if the signals are improperly timed.
As a result, many drivers opt for less desirable alternate routes or to residential streets or move against the signals to avoid added delay.
So far, Sokoto state government has spent over N1billion to install traffic and street lights in the last ten months. Unfortunately, the purpose for these traffic signals is seemingly becoming unrealistic and misplaced, making the situation much worse than it was.
Although the noncompliance of motorists contributed a lot to the unsuccessful use of these signals, to a larger extent, the government is to blame.
That motorists in Sokoto have in their genetic composition a chromosomal deficiency of traffic obedience is perhaps a clear indication that the authorities themselves are also not getting the right approach and ideas favourable for citizen’s compliance.
The ongoing installation of traffic lights at the wrong locations in Sokoto State, while ignoring places in dire need of traffic signals is a clear example of how best a government can discourage citizenry from obeying safety rules and regulations.
The renewed efforts of the state government only solved problems that did not exist, and failed to deal with the problems that should be tackled. While traffic lights help, they are hardly necessary when considering the myriad of problems that need government focus.
Traffic signals and roundabouts serve the same purpose and need not to be operating together. The former should only exist where the latter has failed, and vice versa.
It makes no sense to have traffic lights and roundabouts operating in the same location, which is what is happening in Sokoto State today.
There are several dangerous intersections and junctions in the state that have caused accidents and led to loss of lives, but the state government is yet to see any reason in having traffic lights and signals at these junctions where they are needed the most. Rather, they opt to install them at roundabouts where they serve little or no use at all.
To cut it short, installing these devices at roundabouts alone without giving due emphasis to the many deadly junctions in the state doesn’t only make no sense, but goes further to emphasize the fact that the state government lacks the necessary ideas on how best a traffic light can be used.
The systemic problem which these traffic lights in roundabouts does not address (and which the state government hasn’t taken into consideration) is that there are so many junctions, crossings and turnings across the state that have resulted in the loss of lives and injuries.
The awkward T-junction along Gusau road, just adjacent to the main gate of FGC Sokoto is perhaps one of the most dangerous junction across the state and even across neighboring Kebbi and Zamfara states.
It is astonishing that the government saw NNPC roundabout worthy of traffic signal over this dangerous junction. It is also saddening to know that the government did not consider this junction which has claimed the lives of many road users and will most likely continue to.
It is a junction with an obvious and urgent need for traffic signals, likewise several other junctions across the state. From Old Airport junction to Runjin Sambo, and from Ibrahim Dasuki road to Arkilla Fire Service junction, to mention a few.
If there’s any need for traffic lights in Sokoto, then these junctions ought to have been given more priority before others.
Therefore, a modern sensible traffic control that will reduce accidents and provide safe crossing for pedestrians as well as road users is highly recommended.
With the increasing rate of accidents recorded daily in the state, one needs no magic to believe that the state government has made the wrong choices in applying its traffic solutions and has failed to utilise the gadgets effectively.
If the purposes of installing these traffic signals are to curb accidents and ensure the free movement of vehicles, then our N1billion has just been wasted on a project that made no positive impact.
All the traffic signals were installed in the wrong places and it seems like no traffic study was conducted to determine where they should be put in the first place.
Ideally, there are a number of factors that need to be properly examined before traffic signals are installed, which were clearly not considered in this case.
First of all, a roundabout is a type of a circular intersection or junction in which road traffic flows almost continuously in one direction around a focal point. They are designed so to prevent any likelihood of collisions by reducing traffic speeds and minimizing T-bone and head-on collisions, especially at points where three or four junctions meet.
A roundabout forces traffic to move slowly in order to allow visual engagement with pedestrians, minimize driver confusion associated with perpendicular junctions and reduced queuing associated with traffic lights. As such, traffic lights need not to be installed where roundabouts exists.
Secondly, traffic signals are important means of traffic control. When used properly or installed at the right place, they can help to improve safety, manage traffic flow, and make it easier for pedestrians to cross the street.
However, the location that fits best for traffic signals should be taking into account first before being installed. If the street is relatively narrow and motor vehicle traffic on the cross-street is moderate to low, then traffic lights can result in more pedestrian delay while waiting for the walk signal. In this scenario, impatient and hazy pedestrians would cross against the lights and motorists whose turn it is to move may run into them, resulting in severe damages and even loss of lives. Therefore, traffic lights should not be installed on narrow and idle roads.
Thirdly, another very important consideration is traffic signal spacing. When signalized locations are too close together, they could create more congestion and gridlock conditions, making it imperative that traffic lights be generally spaced further apart.
However, due to the high cost of traffic signals and possible negative safety implications, it may be best to try other measures in lieu of traffic lights in places where signal spacing proved difficult, such as reducing the number of lanes, improved lighting, improved warning signs and pavement markings.
To this end, if the Sokoto State government is sincere in its desire to minimize road accidents and improve safety, they should carefully study these traffic signals and make proper amendments where necessary.
All signals at roundabouts should be uninstalled and reinstalled in places where they are needed the most – junctions and intersections. Virtually all traffic lights in Sokoto have no pedestrian signal which perhaps can be attributed to the fact that little attention was given to pedestrian activity at the time most of the signals were installed.
Therefore, all traffic signals should have pedestrian crossing signals except for those on narrow streets. And where there are heavy pedestrian activities, a pedestrian bridge will solve it all.
Though I have seen some solar powered traffic signals in about two roundabouts, there’s still the need for the state government to have an alternative energy source to power these devices in order to save cost, instead of adopting the expensive method of using power generating sets.
In a nutshell, the state government should come up with a ‘traffic act’ that criminalises by-passing traffic signals and prescribe severe retributions for noncompliance, which will not only serve as a deterrent to others but will go a long way in forcing all road users to comply with the rules and obey traffic control. A stitch in time saves nine.
Usama A. Dandare, a social commentator, writes from Sokoto. Reach him via [email protected], www.facebook.com/usama.dandareor twitter @osadaby