Who’s Causing the Traffic Jam?

A traffic accident occurred along the Farrer Road flyover at about 2045hrs on Friday, 2 March 2007. A mini van apparently hit a taxi from the back, then crashed onto the road divider wall on the right lane. The taxi came to a halt further down on the left lane of the road. The driver and passengers of the mini van appeared to have left the scene by foot, refusing assistance from motorists, for unknown reasons.

For the next 10-15 minutes, traffic continued to be smooth with vehicles simply maneuvering around the two stationary cars, which were at least 20 meters apart from each other. Then came the traffic police.


The traffic police stopped cars from all three lanes abruptly, causing all traffic to grind to a halt for a few minutes, before letting the cars go lane by lane. By then, a jam has been formed along the flyover. He did not realize his action also caused vehicles on the right lane to have to swerve to the right to avoid his motorbike, which was dangerously parked jutting out at the edge of the right lane. What is the wisdom behind the traffic police’s action?

Yes, the unattended van may cause another accident if drivers of oncoming vehicles are not alert. However, there are simpler solutions for this situation:

1) Make sure the hazard lights of the mini van and the taxi are turned on;

2) Place traffic triangles behind both, or at least one of the cars;

3) Traffic police to signal oncoming traffic to avoid the van in the right lane; the taxi driver can help to signal traffic away from his vehicle on the left lane.