By JAMES KILA
VILLAGERS living along the Highlands Highway may not know it but they are exposing travellers to danger, and possibly death.
They have been removing road safety signs put up by authorities to warn motorists.
Signs that read “Give way”, “One-lane Bridge” and others have found their way to homes along the highway as ornamental items or to form part of the roof or wall.
The practice is so rampant that it has prompted the Eastern Highlands highway patrol unit to initiate awareness programmes.
Team leader Sgt Dick Tambua said many signs were removed from dangerous spots such as sharp bends and narrow bridges.
“We’ve noticed some of these signs used as decorations in the private yards of villagers,” he told The National last weekend after talking to villagers at Fayantina Hill.
He said the unit would first concentrate on areas where the problem was rampant and would also build a good working relationship with the communities to prevent the removal of the road signs.
Team member Dan Opa said that in some places, the people lacked information and did not appreciate the role of the police.
He said there were also cases of people resettling near the highway and making unlawful demands.
Mr Opa said this led to the sale of liquor along the highway, roadblocks, looting, fuel theft, damage to the road, stoning of vehicles and other problems.
Sgt Tambua said they had achieved some success after two months but would need to keep at it for a few more months.
They will continue to work closely with the community police and distribute more leaflets to make people more aware of the importance of keeping road safety signs.
The programme is supported by the Eastern Highlands Law and Justice Sector and covers parts of the highway from Yung Creek bordering Morobe to Mangiro.