Accidents in trinidad 2012

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Why are there so many road fatalities and accidents on the roads of Trinidad and Tobago? 


It starts with the basics and moves up; from knowing when someone has right-of-way to knowing the speed limit, 
to knowing when to use your indicator (turning signal). 





We are all guilty of ignoring some road regulations. I don't know one driver including myself who hasn't disobeyed at 
least one road regulation. Some of the people I know will disregard a road regulation without really knowing that's what 
their doing. 


But we all need to take more responsibility on the roads of our nation. 


Some of these drivers take many innocent lives with them. 
Some of the drivers witness the funerals of those they killed. 
Some of the drivers perish due to their own recklessness. 


But whether they are wrong or right, the loss of life, any life is unnecessary and can be prevented. 

To avoid this type of carnage however the people like these below who consider themselves upright standing citizens of the country need to obey simple road rules. (take from the passenger's perspective) 


This lady was in a Left turn only lane and decided at the traffic light to merge back into the traffic on her right side almost hitting our car. This happens almost every morning at the traffic light by Jean Pierre Complex. Some mornings a Police officer is there to ensure that those people in the Left turn only lane actually make the turn and NOT try to merge back into the traffic. 

Now here is my favorite. Trinidadians don't seem to understand that concept of DO NOT block the intersection. It really does not matter if your light is green. Traffic laws state - that if you cannot cross the intersection then you don't go. But it's either drivers in Trinidad never read these rules or just don't care about them. Frankly I think both apply to most of our drivers. 

Then there is the use of the indicator/ turning signal. This fine gentlemen thought that you put the turning signal on after you come into the next lane. Logically speaking if you want to come into another lane, you put the signal on so that the person BEHIND YOU, not NEXT TO YOU can give you way to come into the lane. You do not cut someone off while they are driving and then after you've straightened up in the lane then put your indicator on. That makes no sense. But as a good friend of mine always said - if it doesn't make sense you are guaranteed that it will happen in Trinidad. 

And of course the greatest challenge in Trinidad and Tobago. Reading signs This sign is a No Parking Sign, so is there any reason why you are parked there.