By: GRACE AMA AGBOYIBOR (GIJ)-BACS231201agboyiborgrace4@gmail.com

Traffic lights are automatically operated coloured lights which has the colours of read, amber (yellow) and green. It controls traffic at road junctions, for pedestrians crossing, enables drivers to make various turn among others.Traffic light is also known as traffic signal or stoplight it also controls vehicle traffic passing through the intersections of two or more roadways by giving a visual indication to drivers when to proceed, when to slow down and when to stop. Despite the critical roles these traffic lights play on our various roads,

Traffic lights are important on our roads

Many traffic lights in Greater Accra and outside are malfunctioning, in spite of the complains from the affected drivers and pedestrians to the authorities to fix these traffic light, hardly would you pass by some areas without sighting on abandoned traffic lights. This situation is no different in Kasoa Bawjiase in the Central Region on Ghana.

Importance:

Traffic lights are very important in Ghana because the country does not have many flyovers as well as interchange therefore motorists and pedestrians rely on system of traffic lights to manage movement on city roads. The media including; print, radio stations, television stations and other online platforms have published stories drawing attention to the dire state of traffic light in and outside Accra but the situation still remains the same over the years.

Challenges

Some broken lights hang loosely on the wires that supply power to them, meaning these wires can easily fall off and injure pedestrians. This is particularly the case of traffic light at Bawjiasea suburb in Kasoa, where more than five standard traffic light units are either broken down or malfunctioning. The bulb in some are off and fallen out of the socket because these lights have been in existence without any proper maintenance. All traffic lights have the red, amber (yellow) and green colours which needs to change from time to time, some of the lights shows only the amber (yellow) colour at all times confusing road users whether to move or not. According to some traders at the vicinity, the lights had not been working for almost a year, this situation puts pressure on policemen because they had to be present throughout the day to direct the traffic.  They added that, the traffic situation increases during market days, and passengers stay in the traffic for quite long before they can move. “On Tuesday, there’s no Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) to direct the traffic heavy traffic “.and this prevents smooth operations during day.

Caution

Although, no death has been recorded, the situation is very bad and uncomfortable for both pedestrians and drivers since their daily activities are interrupted with the situation. They said the situation can cause lots of death if nothing is done about it. They therefore called on the MP of the area, Hon. Mrs.Hawa Kosom to renovate the said traffic lights on Kasoa-Bawjiase road.Speaking to Mr. Abekah, a worker at the Awutu Senya East, he revealed that, the traffic lights on Kasoa roads were once replenished but in no time these lights have become faulty again. He assured the citizens that there is an ongoing negotiation to put things in place to replace the faulty ones with solar light.He admonished all road users to observe the road signs when using the road to help curb the rate of accidents on the various roads. He also recommended intensive education on road safety by the National Road Safety Commission since the year is gradually ending to help curb the number of accident