There’s nothing unusual on 1st Street in Angeles City where, at its farthest end, stands SM-Clark mall. The new traffic lights there function with imprecise calibration that now causes gridlock where there was none before. Jeepney and trike drivers are in typical frenetic rush to beat the green light by speeding on the wrong lane, overtaking other drivers with the patience for the proper go amid threat of red light. All in a new usual. And all go scot free.
Since they were installed months ago, the traffic lights have always functioned, except for two days. One Saturday and following Sunday the traffic lights were off and motorists there drove without hitch, crossing each other’s paths smoothly. No congestion- not even a brief one- occurred. While some offices normally close at Clark freeport on Sundays, weekends are always mall days and thus would not explain such efficient Sunday traffic.
Those two days indicated that vehicle volume in the area did not yet warrant traffic lights. Or perhaps, that the lights should be calibrated to respond to practical traffic flow so that they serve instead of impede, and this requires some math calculations, a study of motion or something that sounds scientific.
Eventually, as vehicle volume rises with more activities at Clark freeport, the traffic lights would be most practical. But that point, it seems, has not been reached.
The fact is that traffic gridlocks started on the day the lights were installed and operated.
And they have also led to anarchy. Drivers of jeepneys and trikes zoom past any traffic light color, because traffic czars have abandoned to the traffic lights the task of order and discipline.
Those driving public utility vehicles are so used to road lawlessness as to render the traffic lights on 1st Street mere tools for transgression, for no lawman is at the site to ensure that reds, greens and yellows signal rules to be followed.
If the traffic lights have to be at 1st Street, so let them be. But they should be better calibrated. If they serve any other purpose, it’s also to instill patience and discipline among drivers, but this can’t be without humans complementing machines. Not yet.
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Folk in Barangay Lakandula in Mabalacat City feel thankful to Mayor Boking Morales who acted on their appeal for a pedestrian lane on MacArthur highway where they exit from 9th Street. That portion of the highway has been accident prone in cases between fast vehicles, including tricycles, and pedestrians, especially after the highway was widened for more space supposedly also for walkers but instead has become room for overtaking speedsters.
With the new pedestrian lane, Lakandula residents crossing the highway fear less. Morales, however, is targetting a better option: a pedestrian bridge across the highway from their street, way above murderous drivers. That would cost much more, so it’s taking time. If it’s done, Lakandula denizes will fear no more.