By Jama Samater,
Hargeisa- Berbera Road Overview
On the badly damaged internal roads in Hargeisa, drivers are predominantly young and reckless and pay no attention to give others the right of way presumably believing if they do it is a shame Any accidents on urban roads are not as serious as those in major roads
However, accidents occurring on roads connecting main towns are deadly.
The occasional road maintenance works carried out inHargeisa – Berbera road seem to work in short term and does not warrant the money spent, because the spot-holes fixed reappear immediately at the edge of those treated due mainly to asphalt which no longer can hold its own ingredients together because it is 20 years over-due its reconstruction stage
Existing Sub-standard Configuration
There are a number of locations along Hargeisa – Berberaroad that require reviewing their existing design configuration. Though there are no traffic signs on this road nevertheless most people drive at a speed of more than 100KPH. There are also numerous placeswhere the roadcrosses water ways. Unfortunately the vertical curvatures at entry and exit do not match the vehicle speed and therefore a catastrophe is eminent. Many lives are lost in these locations. It is not that difficult to execute smoother slopes that are more relevant to satisfy speed conscious drivers.
Many vehicle drivers lack proper skills to maneuver through this substantial sub-standard slopes on a highway, just as there are no warning signs to notify traffic to reduce the speed to cope with the existing slope conditions
Roads are subject to changes due to adjacent developments; it is prudent, therefore that vehicle operators are expected to anticipate some alterations on the road while driving so that the proper action can be taken. One classic case to some is the Berbera Airport road which intersects with Hargeisa- Berbera road. Due to some drivers’ negligence many lives were lost. Inexperienced vehicle drivers are those that do not take into consideration that the road conditions can change any time so as to adjust to the complexity of change.
All the vehicles in this country are equipped with seat belts and the concerned party is advised to encourage all occupants to wear them. Statistically most local drivers get out of an accident unscathed; while their passengers sustain life threatening injuries simply because they are having the steering wheel to clutch to.
Police Accident Report 2008 to 2010
The Dept. of Police, Traffic Section issues annual report on traffic accidents covering the entire country. In their 2008, 2009 and 2010 report, it mentioned a total death of 420 persons out of which 160 is in Hargeisa alone. The main causes of these deaths are related to: speeding, inadequate driving skills, lack of road and marking signs, and poor road conditions on pavements.
Stone Construction on Urban Roads
A suggestion to consider is applying masonry stones on some of our urban roads just as most of European roads are constructed in the past; but it needs highly skilled masons capable to inter-lock the stones in order to resist movement. There are two important conditions to be met, however: the first is laying a solid base to act as the sub-base below the masonry layer perhaps consisting of crushed stones; the second is to keep the subgrade free from water ingression. If it is properly done such a road will require very little maintenance and last longer than conventional flexible or rigid pavements. We have abundant mountains to provide the raw materials we need. Hargeisa Municipality must make the first move and make a mock-up to be viewed and commented by professional engineers.
Drainage
The British Administration established few open channels to drain the streets of Hargeisa and are located in strategic places to collect water and drain it to the ‘Tug ‘. These drain channels are now used extensively as a garbage collection which impair their optimum use. The Municipality Authorities must improvise suitable garbage collection bins distributed evenly among localities and hopefully disposed by them on regular basis in order to keep the drains functioning well all year round.
Urban roads have a little chance to withstand erosion due to surface run-off during the rain seasons. Building construction in urban development is increasing in arithmetic progression and occupy water ways which previously carved by surface run-off. But the water must find its own level without hindrance andconsequently cut through roads to establish its drainage to the lowest point.
There is a pressing need to execute proper road drainage studies to overcome water erosion in urban areas so that we keep our urban road intact.
Conclusion
We are well aware of the financial implications of highway improvements, but it is important to consider the following points in an attempt to reduce the number of deaths in our highways:
· Vehicle operators must possess a valid driver’s license and sufficient experience to respect others using the roads; simply stalling the vehicle at the passage where others are going and engage conversation with a pedestrian is absolutely unacceptable; this can cause serious accidents;
· Road signs must be installed ( can use a rock and paint ) at critical places where passing is not allowed, and where sudden change of road conditions is indicated ahead;
· Seat belts may be worn if provided; they can really save you deadly injuries;
· Installation of proper drainage system to keep surface run-off to suitable channels;
· Stone construction roads as an alternative to asphalt roads; and
· Allocation of funds to remedy most dangerous locations along Hargeisa – Berbera Road e.g. slopes at entry and exit of water crossing, intersection of Berbera Airport with Hargeisa – Berbera road and the horizontal curvature Berbera- cement factory.
There are more important issues than we can cope with in Somaliland; but our priorities must be identified to set them relative to our immediate needs i.e reduce road fatalities and preserve what we have.
We are more capable to do things in our way rather than being dictated by international financial institutions who demand more than they can give and avail the funds at their convenience. We are all responsible about the welfare of this country and to do what is proper within our resources just as the late J. F. Kennedy said, ‘ Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
Jama A. Samater, P. Eng
Elite B & H, Hargeisa Som.
jsamater@gmail.com
Introduction
A driver on vehicle A and going straight was hit by another vehicle B turning left at T- junction and intersecting the path of vehicle A. Both cars stalled at the junction hanging on one another. The pedestrians hanging around in the area had given their verdict in favour of vehicle B which was turning left. Traffic police were busy on other vehicles on the road few yards from the junction for their own personal reasons and never bothered to intervene. We are fortunate, urban road accidents are limited to vehicle scratches and less bodily harm.
Roads are part of transportation infrastructure and must be constructed to meet traffic safety standards to reduce accidents at all costs. In spite of its poor condition it ought to be made to function to serve the public safely. Considerations should be given to remedy locations upon which many lives were lost.
A driver on vehicle A and going straight was hit by another vehicle B turning left at T- junction and intersecting the path of vehicle A. Both cars stalled at the junction hanging on one another. The pedestrians hanging around in the area had given their verdict in favour of vehicle B which was turning left. Traffic police were busy on other vehicles on the road few yards from the junction for their own personal reasons and never bothered to intervene. We are fortunate, urban road accidents are limited to vehicle scratches and less bodily harm.
Roads are part of transportation infrastructure and must be constructed to meet traffic safety standards to reduce accidents at all costs. In spite of its poor condition it ought to be made to function to serve the public safely. Considerations should be given to remedy locations upon which many lives were lost.
Hargeisa- Berbera Road Overview
On the badly damaged internal roads in Hargeisa, drivers are predominantly young and reckless and pay no attention to give others the right of way presumably believing if they do it is a shame Any accidents on urban roads are not as serious as those in major roads
However, accidents occurring on roads connecting main towns are deadly.
The occasional road maintenance works carried out inHargeisa – Berbera road seem to work in short term and does not warrant the money spent, because the spot-holes fixed reappear immediately at the edge of those treated due mainly to asphalt which no longer can hold its own ingredients together because it is 20 years over-due its reconstruction stage
Existing Sub-standard Configuration
There are a number of locations along Hargeisa – Berberaroad that require reviewing their existing design configuration. Though there are no traffic signs on this road nevertheless most people drive at a speed of more than 100KPH. There are also numerous placeswhere the roadcrosses water ways. Unfortunately the vertical curvatures at entry and exit do not match the vehicle speed and therefore a catastrophe is eminent. Many lives are lost in these locations. It is not that difficult to execute smoother slopes that are more relevant to satisfy speed conscious drivers.
Many vehicle drivers lack proper skills to maneuver through this substantial sub-standard slopes on a highway, just as there are no warning signs to notify traffic to reduce the speed to cope with the existing slope conditions
Roads are subject to changes due to adjacent developments; it is prudent, therefore that vehicle operators are expected to anticipate some alterations on the road while driving so that the proper action can be taken. One classic case to some is the Berbera Airport road which intersects with Hargeisa- Berbera road. Due to some drivers’ negligence many lives were lost. Inexperienced vehicle drivers are those that do not take into consideration that the road conditions can change any time so as to adjust to the complexity of change.
All the vehicles in this country are equipped with seat belts and the concerned party is advised to encourage all occupants to wear them. Statistically most local drivers get out of an accident unscathed; while their passengers sustain life threatening injuries simply because they are having the steering wheel to clutch to.
Police Accident Report 2008 to 2010
The Dept. of Police, Traffic Section issues annual report on traffic accidents covering the entire country. In their 2008, 2009 and 2010 report, it mentioned a total death of 420 persons out of which 160 is in Hargeisa alone. The main causes of these deaths are related to: speeding, inadequate driving skills, lack of road and marking signs, and poor road conditions on pavements.
Stone Construction on Urban Roads
A suggestion to consider is applying masonry stones on some of our urban roads just as most of European roads are constructed in the past; but it needs highly skilled masons capable to inter-lock the stones in order to resist movement. There are two important conditions to be met, however: the first is laying a solid base to act as the sub-base below the masonry layer perhaps consisting of crushed stones; the second is to keep the subgrade free from water ingression. If it is properly done such a road will require very little maintenance and last longer than conventional flexible or rigid pavements. We have abundant mountains to provide the raw materials we need. Hargeisa Municipality must make the first move and make a mock-up to be viewed and commented by professional engineers.
Drainage
The British Administration established few open channels to drain the streets of Hargeisa and are located in strategic places to collect water and drain it to the ‘Tug ‘. These drain channels are now used extensively as a garbage collection which impair their optimum use. The Municipality Authorities must improvise suitable garbage collection bins distributed evenly among localities and hopefully disposed by them on regular basis in order to keep the drains functioning well all year round.
Urban roads have a little chance to withstand erosion due to surface run-off during the rain seasons. Building construction in urban development is increasing in arithmetic progression and occupy water ways which previously carved by surface run-off. But the water must find its own level without hindrance andconsequently cut through roads to establish its drainage to the lowest point.
There is a pressing need to execute proper road drainage studies to overcome water erosion in urban areas so that we keep our urban road intact.
Conclusion
We are well aware of the financial implications of highway improvements, but it is important to consider the following points in an attempt to reduce the number of deaths in our highways:
· Vehicle operators must possess a valid driver’s license and sufficient experience to respect others using the roads; simply stalling the vehicle at the passage where others are going and engage conversation with a pedestrian is absolutely unacceptable; this can cause serious accidents;
· Road signs must be installed ( can use a rock and paint ) at critical places where passing is not allowed, and where sudden change of road conditions is indicated ahead;
· Seat belts may be worn if provided; they can really save you deadly injuries;
· Installation of proper drainage system to keep surface run-off to suitable channels;
· Stone construction roads as an alternative to asphalt roads; and
· Allocation of funds to remedy most dangerous locations along Hargeisa – Berbera Road e.g. slopes at entry and exit of water crossing, intersection of Berbera Airport with Hargeisa – Berbera road and the horizontal curvature Berbera- cement factory.
There are more important issues than we can cope with in Somaliland; but our priorities must be identified to set them relative to our immediate needs i.e reduce road fatalities and preserve what we have.
We are more capable to do things in our way rather than being dictated by international financial institutions who demand more than they can give and avail the funds at their convenience. We are all responsible about the welfare of this country and to do what is proper within our resources just as the late J. F. Kennedy said, ‘ Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
Jama A. Samater, P. Eng
Elite B & H, Hargeisa Som.
jsamater@gmail.com
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