Traffic Enforcers: Cause of Heavy Traffic?

In the province, traffic enforcers are one of the major causes of heavy traffic. The
phrase, “may pulis kasi” is commonly heard whenever anyone gets stuck in traffic. In
rural cities wherein traffic lights are non-existent, traffic enforcers during rush hours are
the ones controlling the traffic flow. Yet people sometimes ask, are they doing more bad
than good? How come people ponder such thoughts when traffic enforcers are
supposedly a necessity? Because these enforcers are very inconsistent with what they
do. Some days they are present, some days they are not. And people have witnessed
that during the days they are absent, traffic flows smoothly and no one is forced to wait
painstaking seconds for traffic to flow once more. Another inconsistency is that there are
times that small intersections are still managed by these enforcers when clearly there’s
no need to do so. Sometimes, a highway which branches out to many side streets has
an enforcer on each side street even when the distance between each side street is
less than 500 meters! During these unfortunate days, expect that a usual 5 minute ride
to your destination will be prolonged to 10 minutes.

There are also times that traffic enforcers tend to be choosy. I have observed that at
times my lane is not moving for almost 5 minutes because the traffic enforcer choose to
empty one particular lane. And then our lane would move but only for a second before
being stopped once more to let another lane pass by for several minutes. These
scenario, based on my experience, happens also in some intersections in Metro Manila
that is controlled by traffic enforcers.

I am not saying that all traffic enforcers are bad. PNoy did say in his SONA that traffic
enforcers who regulate traffic ought to receive a word of thanks for their dedication
despite the horrible weather conditions. However, in the provinces, I would rather see
traffic lights than traffic enforcers. Or else, consistency in how they implement proper
traffic flow. This would certainly prevent stress levels from rising even before one
reaches the office.

Advantages

Signals are known to provide maximum control at intersections. This is because they
relay messages on what motorists and pedestrians should do and what they should not.
The major function of a traffic signal is to assign the way to avoid conflicting traffic
movements at intersections. They do so by a method of time separation.

The other benefit of traffic signals is that they assign the right way to different traffic
movements. Thus, they offer orderly movements of the conflicting flows. Sometimes
they can interrupt heavy flows so that they permit crossing of minor movements. This
allows for safe movements through intersections.
Traffic signals have been found to increase traffic handling capacity. They can be
installed in different conditions, which justify their application. They are valuable devices
that improve efficiency and safety of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. In most
cases, these devices reduce particular types of accidents such as broadside collisions.

Effects of unjustified traffic lights

There is a widespread belief that these signals provide solutions to control traffic, and
reduce accidents, you will find them installed nearly everywhere. They should be used
only in areas that need lesser forms of control based on study data. When they are
installed incorrectly, they can cause excessive delay. Also, a lot of drivers switch to
alternate routes, which are less desirable. Others switch to use residential streets to
avoid unnecessary delay.

The Importance of Traffic Safety

On the road, you never know what’s going to happen. One moment you are crossing it
with cheer, and then suddenly an accident can occur. This is unpredictable, that’s why
driving safely is the best thing you can do. Furthermore, luckily, there are warning
signals, signs, and traffic signals on roads which are beneficial for the safe driving.
However, do you really know what these, especially the traffic signals are?

Traffic signals are offering a maximum control to any road intersections. These relay
messages of both what you must do and what not to do as a driver. The primary
function of the traffic signals as we know is to assign the right of way to the contradicting
movements of traffic in an intersection. This is actually done by allowing the conflicting
traffic streams to share the same intersection by way of separating the time.
Furthermore, the signals provide an orderly movement of the conflicting flows by means
of assigning the right of way alternately to various movements of the traffic. However, it
may interrupt extremely heavy flows to allow the crossing of some minor movements
which otherwise, could not move safely into the intersection.

When they are properly timed, traffic signals may increase the traffic handling capacity
in an intersection. Additionally, when installed under a justified condition of its use, the
signal is very valuable in improving the efficiency and safety of both the vehicular traffic
and the pedestrian. Furthermore, particularly, traffic signals may also help in reducing
various types of accidents.

Advantages of Traffic Signals

Traffic signals help in controlling pedestrian and vehicle traffic by means of assigning
the priorities to some traffic movements to stimulate the flow of traffic. A properly
designed, maintained, and located traffic signals may have one or more of the following
advantages:
 It interrupts the heavy traffic at intersections to allow other vehicles or
pedestrians to cross it.
 It helps in providing a continuous movement of traffic at a certain speed in a
given route or way.
 It helps in reducing the severity and frequency of various types of accidents or
crashes, most especially the right-angle collision.
 It increases the traffic handling capacity of a certain intersection.
 It makes the movement of traffic in a certain intersection in order.
Disadvantages of Traffic Signals
Of course, as with everything, there are disadvantages too. Traffic signals are not really
a solution to all problems in road intersections. Furthermore, an unwarranted signal can
also adversely affect the safety and the efficiency of the traffic. This is by means of
causing any of the following disadvantages of traffic signals:

 – There is an increase in the use of less-adequate streets to avoid the traffic

signals.
 – There are some drivers that disobey the signals.
 – There is an increase in traffic congestion, fuel consumption, and air pollution.
 – There is an excessive delay because of the time allocated in the traffic signals.

Nowadays, traffic signals are almost everywhere. They are proven to be effective in
areas where traffic flow is heavy, as well as off road use, such as Loading
Bays, Site Entrances etc, where a Stop / Go signal is required.