Faulty traffic lights cause snarl-ups

ISLAMABAD: The majority of faulty traffic lights, closure of U-turns, roads and traffic diversions creating immense problems for the commuters of the federal capital where traffic wardens seem helpless to control the traffic mess at peak hours or during emergencies.

The problem of traffic signals is not something uncommon as various major roads in city have malfunctioning traffic signals.

"We are always criticized for not obeying the traffic laws; however, anybody among the concerned officials never took any action because they are not sincere in addressing the worsening traffic condition," motorist Asghar shah at F-6 area said.

Citizens say it is now overdue to overhaul the entire traffic system including code of conduct for cops, raising civic sense awareness among masses, renovation of infrastructure, implementation of traffic laws and more importantly keeping traffic lights in working order.

Due to load shedding, most of the signals in the city often remain dysfunctional, whereas wardens are deployed only at some signals to control the heavy flow of traffic.

The commuter Ali Tahir while talking to APP said that the long queues on traffic signals were also causing inconvenience for ambulances.

The commuters demanded the traffic police high-ups deploy at least three to four personnel at each signal, as it was not possible for one warden to control the heavy flow of traffic.

An official of the traffic police said that the load-shedding was the main reason of the faulty traffic signals. He said that the main focus of the traffic personnel was on that side which has heavy flow of traffic.

He informed that SSP Traffic also issued directives to the concerned officials to deploy more traffic personnel on the main points.

Official said that measures are being taken for effective control of the traffic mess in the metropolis. The traffic police would finalize an effective traffic plan within a week for smooth flow of traffic in the city.