Garth A. Rattray | Please fix road surface markings

One evening, about five years ago, my wife and I drove from Kingston to Montego Bay and back to attend an important event. The drive was harrowing to say the least. The road hogs were everywhere. The sparkling bright lights blinded me repeatedly. But, worst of all, the road markings were faded so badly that I was not able to use them to guide me. On several occasions along the journey, I had to slow significantly and risk being rear-ended by tailgating and speeding road hogs.

Not too long after our journey, we heard in the news about a horrendous crash along the North Coast Highway. The dead bodies had already been removed, but the backdrop to the television interview of a senior police officer was littered with the mangled remains of the motor vehicles that were involved in the deadly crash. After the policeman gave his report to the television team, he took the time to plead for the authorities to brighten (redo) the road surface markings. They, he said, were so pale that they were of little or no use to drivers. He intimated that many lives could be saved if the road surface markings were redone.

Although the fuel prices have risen so high that they have achieved orbit, and threaten to leave the confines of the planet altogether; although our fuel is being heavily (multiple compound) taxed for the alleged purpose of road repair and upkeep; for some inexplicable reason, the essential road surface markings have not been redone. Bear in mind that the road surface markings were put in place because they are essential. It is beyond my capability to figure out why something so essential for road safety and the preservation of lives has been, and continues to be, ineffective and in need of fixing.

CANNOT BE THE PROBLEM

Given the ever-increasing fuel prices, I must surmise that the cost of redoing the road surface markings cannot possibly be the problem. Therefore, is leaving the road surface markings the authority’s tacit capitulation to the road hogs who are ignoring them? Are they thinking, ‘Why bother?’ because the road hogs drive over the road markings as if they don’t exist? Is it that those of us who need the road surface markings are unimportant and, therefore, disposable citizens?

Road surface markings are applied by special paints or materials. They communicate essential information to road users – motorists, pedal cyclists and pedestrians. They are used on regular roads, highways, commercial driveways, racetracks, and airstrips, among other places. They come in various materials and colours, depending on the purpose that they serve. They are used to inform of directions, lanes, speed zones, no-passing areas, specified lane use (as in bus lanes), slowing, stopping, parking, merging, turning, pedestrian crossings, and so on.

Road surface markings are often applied by machines, and sometimes by hand. The most commonly used materials are water-based paints, thermoplastic, methyl melacrylate, polymer tape and epoxy resin. The equipment sprays out the marking in predetermined pulses. Sometimes stencils are used, and sometimes a thick, durable material is applied for high-use areas. The materials are waterproof, anti-skid, and may be reflective. Some road surface markings are called raised pavement markings (RPM). These may or may not be reflective. They are used along the sides of dark roadways (where they should be mandatory) and along the lane markings to alert the vehicle operator that he/she is on the lane marker line and may be dangerously straying into the adjacent lane.

RPMs enhance visibility (especially under adverse weather conditions), are more durable, and are tactical because they warn of possible danger when driven over. Other materials include transverse rumble strips – the kind that we see and feel near upcoming corners, zones where the roadway descends steeply, and near where changes in road speed is necessary.

SEVERAL TYPES

The several types of road markings include longitudinal markings, transverse markings, directional markings, arrow markings, hazard markings, block markings and facility markings. The markings occur on the edges, centre and lanes. Markings are often used to make painted islands, to warn of divergent or opposing traffic. The way that the markings are applied conveys a wealth of very important information. Information is conveyed in colour, and solid or broken lines. The patterns convey essential information to all road users.

When the brilliant, high-beam lights of unconscionable drivers blind me, I used to look down at the road markings to save me from disaster. With the RPMs being no longer reflective, and other surface markings faded in many places, some drivers are left to drive at 10 kilometres/hour or stay home at nights. Rainfall also obscures our vision and we need very visible road markings to guide us. With road hogs driving all over the place, we sometimes become disoriented and need the road markings to put us back on track. We need them to guide us as they were intended to do and, perhaps, if the road hogs see bright road markings, they might think twice about ignoring them.

The only disadvantages of pavement markings are the initial cost and unsuitability for use on deteriorated road surfaces. The advantages are obvious – they reduce road crashes and save lives. We deserve better, our lives are important. Fixing the road surface markings are way overdue.

Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and garthrattray@gmail.com.