DPS, however, is “not playing deaf and blind” and is coming up with a solution to solve these problems, acting Public Safety Commissioner Santiago F. Tudela told the Variety.
“We will be working with the Department of Public Works to address this problem by erecting a three- or four-way stop signs so that when the lights go out, the first come, first serve vehicle will get the right of way,” he added. “This will require public education and public’s compliance should be expected.”
According to Tudela, he is not going to order detectives to direct traffic at intersections during power outages because directing traffic is not their primary assignment.
He said even if the department does not have the resources to monitor all the traffic lights on island, DPS will not tolerate reckless driving.
“I want to apologize for the inconvenience the motorists are experiencing but if you are approaching intersections when the power is out, particularly the intersection near Microl, you can pretty much observe that motorists are extending courtesy to other vehicles coming from the opposite direction,” Tudela said.
“I haven’t seen a motorist speeding in that area,” he added.
Tudela is asking the cooperation of all motorists in dealing with the power outages.
“I am appealing to the motorists to reduce their speed at all intersections and proceed with caution when the traffic lights go out,” he said.
In a letter published on Friday, Superior Court Judge Kenneth L. Govendo said an accident might happen at the Microl intersection as there are no police officers directing traffic during power outages.
Deploying police officers to intersections so they can direct traffic “is not that difficult,” the judge said.
