Dear Editor,
It seems that from time immemorial the people responsible for public signs in Jamaica have taken perverse pleasure in discombobulating the travelling public. If not, how then do we explain both the paucity and the size (small) of signs in public spaces, especially along our roadways?
Years ago, when Portmore was expanding and a roundabout was created (shortly after exiting the Mandela Highway), the public was forced into a guessing game in trying to decipher the several tiny directional signs that were placed in the vicinity, not only because they were confusing in their directional intent, but they were also hard to read until you were almost up on them.
Not much has changed over the years. It’s just that the motoring public has become accustomed to which turn off to take.
But on a larger scale, the massive billion-dollar highway project is crying out for larger, clear and unmistakeable signs at frequent intervals.
The trip into and out of Kingston/Spanish Town using the highway, especially now with several detours, is a nightmare. The signs are minuscule and the arrows are, at best, confusing.
On a recent trip, I found myself retracing my steps at least twice. And the flagmen posted at the detours and roundabouts are practically useless. They sit with their flags drooping or waving you along without any purpose.
How do you spend billions of dollars on a highway and then put some chintzy little confusing signs for motorists in to try and decipher? Somebody who has the responsibility needs to go visit the United States or Canada and see how signs on the highways are treated.
Many years ago, when I was young and more adventurous, while in Canada, I drove in my VW Bug all the way from Toronto to the West Coast (Vancouver) and then down through to the United States (Washington and Oregon to California) — a round trip of approximately 4,000 miles. I never even once came close to being lost or misdirected.
Stephen Harrison
St Mary
It seems that from time immemorial the people responsible for public signs in Jamaica have taken perverse pleasure in discombobulating the travelling public. If not, how then do we explain both the paucity and the size (small) of signs in public spaces, especially along our roadways?
Years ago, when Portmore was expanding and a roundabout was created (shortly after exiting the Mandela Highway), the public was forced into a guessing game in trying to decipher the several tiny directional signs that were placed in the vicinity, not only because they were confusing in their directional intent, but they were also hard to read until you were almost up on them.
Not much has changed over the years. It’s just that the motoring public has become accustomed to which turn off to take.
But on a larger scale, the massive billion-dollar highway project is crying out for larger, clear and unmistakeable signs at frequent intervals.
The trip into and out of Kingston/Spanish Town using the highway, especially now with several detours, is a nightmare. The signs are minuscule and the arrows are, at best, confusing.
On a recent trip, I found myself retracing my steps at least twice. And the flagmen posted at the detours and roundabouts are practically useless. They sit with their flags drooping or waving you along without any purpose.
How do you spend billions of dollars on a highway and then put some chintzy little confusing signs for motorists in to try and decipher? Somebody who has the responsibility needs to go visit the United States or Canada and see how signs on the highways are treated.
Many years ago, when I was young and more adventurous, while in Canada, I drove in my VW Bug all the way from Toronto to the West Coast (Vancouver) and then down through to the United States (Washington and Oregon to California) — a round trip of approximately 4,000 miles. I never even once came close to being lost or misdirected.
Stephen Harrison
St Mary