Signs vital part of roads

National

By SYLVESTER WEMURU
CONTRACTORS that are tasked to build roads must not open roads until all proper traffic signage are erected to inform drivers of the roundabouts, speed humps, crossings, and other necessary signs, says a senior police officer.
Officer-in-charge of the Boroko traffic police Insp Joseph Salle said some accidents occurred due to negligence by contractors.
He said the victims could take legal action against the road builder for not putting up signs.
Salle was referring to a traffic accident that occurred at the newly-built roundabout at 9-Mile where a vehicle ran off the road and killed a woman and injured others.
“The road must not be open for use after completing it if the traffic signs are not erected to inform the drivers on the road,” he said.
“Not all drivers will know that there is a bridge, a hump, or a roundabout because there are different road users at different times.”
Salle said all contractors were obliged to ensure safety was maintained through the erection of proper signage.
Salle said the relatives of the victims of the 9-Mile accident last year had the right to sue the contractor because the work was incomplete with no road signs in place.