Crosswalks to be upgraded

The Barbados Road Safety Association (BRSA) is set to roll out in conjunction with the Ministry of Transport and Works, a new crosswalk improvement project aimed at upgrading at least 50 crosswalks by November 30.

 

Word of this has come from President of the BRSA, Sharmane Roland-Bowen who told The Barbados Advocate that they pitched the idea to the Ministry of Transport and Works, which only recently approved it with the guidelines that will have to be met by the participants. Roland-Bowen said the project will officially be launched at the end of this month and she is issuing a call for businesses across the island to join in the fight to make Barbados’ roads safer, by sponsoring a pedestrian crossing through the initiative. 

 

“The crosswalk improvement project is being executed through the Ministry of Transport and Works, where under their Pedestrian Safety Partnership Programme through which interested businesses can adopt a zebra crossing for upgrading. This crossing can either be situated close to their place of business or any of the other approved locations across the island. We also anticipate that some new locations which are in need of crossings will also be added through this project,” she said.

 

Two areas in particular she believes are in need of such crossings, are along Highway 1 and Highway 7, areas she said which are frequented by visitors to the island. She made the comments while noting that the project will also have an educational component to it, to ensure that pedestrians and motorists alike understand how crosswalks should work.

 

The BRSA president added that the upgrade includes better signage which will ensure that approaching drivers know where the crossing are located, and will feature a better quality of paint, making it more durable and more resistant to skids. For those businesses interested in participating in the programme, she said, the sponsorship includes full maintenance of the signage and markings and it is for a period of two years. Additionally, she said that businesses taking part in the initiative will have their names and logo placed on a sign as close as practical to the crossing, and a stencil marking of their logo placed on the two outmost bars of the crossings.

 

“The BRSA understands it is the responsibility of the Government to look after pedestrian crossings, but as a country we cannot always wait on Government. This is a way for businesses to assist and speed up the process as this initiative can help save lives. This project is for patriotic businesses that really want to contribute and give back to Barbados, to give something tangible to their communities and fellow Barbadians, not only for this 50th year, but for years to come,” she maintained.

 

Her comments came as she pointed out that last year there were seven pedestrian fatalities out of a total of 23 road fatalities recorded. (JRT)