June 20, 2013 | Shaba'an 10, 1434


Four-way stop signs

From the Newspaper
Published 2012-12-04 05:02:28

I HAVE a suggestion for tackling the menace of traffic light violation that we face day in and day out. It is quite unfortunate how we have managed to utilise such a marvellous tool like that of a traffic light.

Why don’t we just replace all the traffic lights with four - way stop signs, as are found in North America? This would be beneficial in terms of saving electricity costs, as well as costs incurred to support the infrastructure (cement etc.).

If we analyse public behaviour at traffic lights, it is evident that we treat traffic lights as a four - way stop sign anyway.

Most of the traffic is coordinated by patrolmen at major intersections anyway. Four - way stop signs would also be more cost - effective to mass - produce and install all over the city of Karachi.

RAFAY BIN ALI Karachi

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Comments (6)

Ara
December 4, 2012 11:15 pm
If people don't follow the traffic signals, how do you propose to force them to follow stop signs? I propose a stick attached to every stop sign which hits the motorist on not following the stop sign.
Rafay Bin Ali
December 4, 2012 6:09 pm
Thanks for your insight. Agreed. However, I believe that the masses already have all the necessary knowledge (elaboration). It is not the lack of education, knowledge, awareness; rather, it is the lack of respect. If we analyze our behavior (myself included), we would find (sometimes very subtle) utter disregard for law, rules, regulations, and doing things by the book. We disdain acting "professionally" in all walks of life - and this is the gist of our misery in today's world. Quick food for thought: Why is that countries without any written constitution to guide their legal framework (for example, the UK) manage to do well on the civilized scale, whereas Pakistanis fail to do so despite having a comprehensive legal code in the form of a written consitution? Something's up for sure - and that is, our utter contempt and DISRESPECT in all walks of life.
Rafay Bin Ali
December 4, 2012 6:02 pm
Thanks for your comments. Agreed. However, please refer to the 2nd paragraph of my post. Our behavior at the traffic lights is similar to what one sees at a stop sign - approach the intersection, scan the environment, and move if safe to do so. This is exactly what happens at the traffic light. Seemingly oblivious of the signal, we move between the intersection, scan within milliseconds, and move on without respect to the signal. By removing all the traffic lights, we achieve 2 purposes: 1) save precious public money from being spent on a redundant tool - along with electricity. 2) a law is supposed to be for the benefit of the people. sometimes it is better to alter the dynamics of the legislation - this seems to be the case here. If people disrespect the law, may be we can teach them to LEARN TO RESPECT by amending the rules that SUIT THE PUBLIC.
Ali
December 4, 2012 7:36 am
For how long these signs will stay put there? Even if it does, these would be defaced by several posters and all kinds of writings on them. You are expecting too much from uncivilised nationals.
Sam
December 4, 2012 6:15 am
Pakistani public will require special education to follow four-way stop sign.There is absolutely no implementation of traffic signs in Pakistan
Ali
December 4, 2012 5:38 am
Seems to be a good idea with the mad flow of crazy motorists and hyper driver's traffic we encounter on daily basis. But this needs to be elaborated more to be fully understood
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