Benewah Diaries: 10 Traffic Tips for the Season

Merry Christmas!!! Joyeux Noël!! Afi o Afi!! Afehyia pa!!! Happy Holidays!!! Yeah, the Christmas season is here with the frenzied shopping and fuss in town. Drivers and pedestrians in each other’s hair. The sudden increase in traffic because --as the popular belief goes--the ghosts are in town as well to shop. I drive. I used to know the road signs but I don’t anymore. I can’t tell the difference between a “No waiting” and a “No parking” sign so that should tell you the drivers we have on the streets now. Don’t get me wrong-I passed the driving test and got a license. I’ve just forgotten. With all the chaos, stress and short tempers, I have decided to give some advice on traffic issues to relieve some of the tensions and reduce road rage. I‘ll give some tips to persons on foot.--Yes, I qualify to let you know how to avoid dangerous drivers like me. My gift to you this season. [caption id="attachment_1549" align="aligncenter" width="618"] Photo credit: Hewy[/caption] So 10 tips to keep you safe this festive holiday. Pay attention. Unplug your ears and unglue your eyes from your cell phones as you walk the streets. That way, you can quickly jump out of harm’s way when you’ve got to. Don’t cross the street at short notice. Especially, if the oncoming vehicle has an “L” “P” or “DVLA” plate, don’t cross the street at short notice. Even though the driver should instinctively know and hit the brakes, there’s no guarantee. So don’t put them to the test. Lest they fail and you are flattened like a pancake. This goes for Trotros as well, particularly those with the semblance of rusted sardine tins. (Approximately 75%) Don’t cross in street junctions if not using the Zebra Crossing . Drivers turning in and out of junctions don’t always see pedestrians in time. Crossing in a street junction, is just like jumping off a cliff and thinking the probability of falling is slim. Try to catch the eye of the driver. Sometimes it’s difficult to cross and you would wish some kind driver will give you way. Catch the eye of the driver. Don’t look at the headlights. They are not equivalent to the eyes of a car. When pedestrians cross the streets (especially at short notice) they tend to look at the headlights trying to catch the eye of the vehicle instead of the driver. Remember, the driver drives the car. At night, wear light-coloured or reflective clothing . Bear in mind that Ghana, our beloved country is a West African country on the Dark Continent. And now even darker still because of dumsor (power outages). Wear light- coloured clothing that will reflect light from oncoming vehicles. White is the best bet. Never assume that drivers see in the dark because they have their headlights on. They’re already blinded by their fellow motorists and can barely make out the shadowy figures on the street. So please help us help you. Use the Zebra Crossing. If the Zebra Crossing is not erased and still visible, use it. By the way, Zebra crossings are not bus stops. They are not spots to hold conversations with other pedestrians. I’m sure fellow drivers have stories of times they stopped to give a pedestrian the right of way, only to realize, pedestrian was waiting for a trotro or his mind was on planet Mars ;or was haggling with a pawpaw seller--Frustrating. Look left, right and left again - even when you have the right of way. There just might be that driver in a mad dash to beat the red light. Stand at designated bus stops . It’s the safest place to stand and stop a vehicle. I ‘ve heard of a taxi driver who doesn’t stop at bus stops because they are Bus stops and is always apprehensive that he will be arrested. So even if you don’t get a taxi, you will definitely get a bus. When crossing the street, walk briskly and always look out for oncoming traffic. Don’t run and don’t walk like a peacock on the runway, you might end up being run over by an impatient motorist. Beware of crossing guards. I‘ve come across one too many amateurs who try stopping vehicles with the green flag. It’s safer when it’s police at the helm of affairs. Bonus Tip Don’t drink and walk. If we can’t drink and drive, then I think you can’t drink and walk on the streets. One night, I drove past a drunk pedestrian tottering dangerously into the path of oncoming traffic with each step. The streets are really not for anyone with an impaired brain –Remember. Pay attention and you’ll be fine. Accidents are unintentional. No one means to hurt anyone. Stay safe this Christmas Season. Share with us your top 5 road tips for the season. By Benewah Gyekye Bannermann (Beanie-waa, Jie-chi, Banner-mann)

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