Edwin,
Very good points.
I would say we need a working planned infrastructure with sufficient capacity to handle traffic needs, the discipline of drivers and law enforcement, useful information (much of which you outline) and more.
I also think we can ease congestion using technology: have more telecommuting where people work close to where they live instead of enduring the jams, indiscipline on the roads, etc. It would be good for our stress levels and hearts. (
Here is what I said to a delegation from Metropolitan Nairobi that came looking for ideas; they have never followed up on their promises. I guess they are waiting for some donor to fund the initiative.)
BTW: much of what you have indicated is
subject to a discussion held by some colleagues with people at OP; I am told that the leading interest is CCTV and border surveillance; see where the priorities are.
One last comment: for good happen, one needs leadership that has clear goals and drives persistently to achieve those goals. The improvement of traffic condition under Michuki was deliberate and persistent.
Regards
----------------
Message: 2
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2011 22:34:03 +0300
From: "Edwin Onchari" <
eonchari@lynxbits.com>
Cc: 'KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions' <
kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Bringing Sanity Back
to our Roads
Message-ID: <001401cbc6fe$01ffdf50$05ff9df0$@com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Matunda/all,
The European & American system works very well. For this to work, I suggest
the following to take place at the new County levels:
1. Digitize all driving records in the county, and register drivers
based on their county of residence and to link the driver record to traffic
offenses (point system for drunk driving, speeding, and any other traffic
violations)
2. The digitized licenses should hold such information as a requirement
to wear glasses when driving, etc
3. Provide a platform, and requisite training for traffic police to log
and tag traffic offenses (real-time) to a central county database which the
insurance companies can reference before renewing the drivers
insurance
policy.
4. Register vehicles (tags-number plates) based on the county of
residence of the vehicle owner against the owners drivers license, renewable
yearly (even through in an emissions test program-we'll all breathe easier
and rid of jalopies)
5. Like Andrea has stated, dedicate lanes for trucks, high occupancy
vehicles, etc
6. Implement a functional highway patrol department , that warn
motorists of broken down vehicles, tow them away at a fee, rescue stranded
motorists at a fee, etc (more revenue for the county)
7. With all the above in place, employ technology like red-light
cameras that automatically takes a photo of the vehicle tags whenever you
jump a light, and attach this to the vehicle records, and by default the
primary registered driver of the vehicle, and the next time they try to
renew, they be forced to pay the
fines from their many offenses.
8. Tag the DL to a national ID/PP so that the sneaky drivers do not
change licenses/names after causing carnage in another county
However, for the above to work, the county then must provide the requisite
infrastructure (proper highway lighting, driver information centers, annual
driver license evaluation and renewal centers without extensive queues)
My 2 cents
Edwin
Best Regards,
Edwin M Onchari
0720755951eonchari@lynxbits.com
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