About the Kitty Roundabout

Jun 08, 2018 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
I am not a little perplexed by what the Minister of Public Infrastructure is reported to have said on the occasion of the opening of the Kitty roundabout, especially the part about making right turns at its entrances and exits.
My confusion stems from the fact that since Guyana drives on the left hand side, all traffic entering the roundabout will turn left, flow clockwise within the circle, and exit left at the desired point, with drivers remembering always that those in the circle have the right of way; that those about to enter it must yield to them; and that both be ever mindful of the fact that neither side is at the race track.
Any right turn in this system would create two opposing streams of traffic and endless opportunities for collisions.
If the system is to serve its purpose of keeping traffic constantly on the move, drivers must follow a simple rule – turn left as you enter, drive slowly, give way to vehicles on your right, and turn left as you leave – a rule that would ensure that everyone is happy and safe in this new merry-go-round.
And to further enhance the travelling experience of motorists, the roundabout must function as an oasis where rush hour drivers can calm their tattered nerves, a state of mind that can be subliminally induced by transforming the circle into a lush island of colorful perennials around which streams of traffic meander and eventually trail off along flowering entrances and exits. Enough local landscape artistes are waiting to help.
In closing, let me hasten to say that the intent of these comments is to, within the context of the existing left hand drive culture, lay out my own view of how the roundabout can best contribute to better traffic management at the Kitty junction, and never to pour scorn on what the minister is reported to have said or done.
Fitzroy Collins

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