A cheaper alternative to traffic cameras

Sir,
This is an open letter to the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, Ministry of Justice and Social order, Ministry of Health, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Chief of Police and Director of the Department of Transport.

I am writing this letter to the newspaper rather than directly, as there is a much higher probability of it being read!

The recent installation of law enforcement cameras at traffic lights may be seen as a positive step by some in trying to curb the number of traffic violations and ultimately accidents at the aforementioned places, but in reality it will only move the problem on to the next set of traffic lights which haven’t got cameras installed.

I would like to suggest a cheap, practical, safe and reasonable solution to this problem, which may ultimately save lives and, more importantly, save money.

Currently, at most controlled intersections, there are three sets of traffic lights used to control and guide motorists. One set on either side of the lane where cars are meant to stop, and one on the opposite side of the intersection. This ultimately results in most drivers crawling past the first two sets, as far as possible into the intersection as they deem safe, ultimately contributing to the problems that you have tried to solve, as they can always see the traffic lights on the opposite side of the road and know exactly when to speed across.

If however, the traffic lights on the opposite side of the intersection are switched off, and this can be done simply by removing the bulbs, the drivers would be obliged to stop behind the line, where they should, as that would be the only way for them to know when to rev up. If they do cross the line, then they would have to wait for the driver behind them to honk their horn impatiently as a signal for them to get a move on. And this is the simple reason the system would work. No one in this country likes to be told what to do, especially by a fellow motorist. The selfish attitude that we have developed here would ensure that most drivers would stay behind the line to see the light change themselves rather than be honked at!

This process has been tried and tested in quite a few countries, with great success, and for all the “doubting Thomas'” just try a pilot project, at an X amount of traffic lights over a period of time and compare the results. There will be some teething problems for sure, but in a very short time the honking will stop and the crossings will become safer. And let’s not forget the financial benefits, the key word to any project.

Reduction of 12 bulbs per intersection would mean lower electricity and maintenance costs.
Fewer accidents would mean more time for the police officers to do other things, or relax.
The insurance companies would gain too, and the work load for the doctors treating traffic accidents may also decrease.

So with a simple measure, we would seriously reduce the violations, accidents and give everyone potentially more time to read the papers. The only people who wouldn’t be really happy are those that supply traffic lights as this measure would ultimately result in a 33 per cent reduction in the traffic lights installed at any intersection. However, I believe the health and safety of everyone far outweighs their right to sell.

Arto Malian,
Larnaca
 

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.