Klaus Jurgens

THE worst thing relating to a traffic accident is that many could have been prevented. Think drunk driving, speeding or using worn tyres. Then consider icy or slippery road conditions, sitting behind the wheel while being tired or under the influence of too many painkillers.

A recent Mavisehir fatality and similar tragedies before fall exactly into that category: totally, preventable!

In this context there is one issue local residents have been discussing ever since we set foot into this tranquil, beautiful stretch of Didim waterfront: shall we cross the Soke- Didim road just outside our village to reach the shops, restaurants and other amenities on the other side? Or shall we refrain from risking our lives?

And here we are: not only the elderly who do not own a car and prefer to buy groceries in the big supermarket, but young and old, children with or without parents, basically anyone, who do not mind coming face to face with death on an almost daily basis.

This is one aspect of the problem: all of us should – and in private admit that we do – know better. Thus said, no one so far managed to educate local residents and summer holiday-goers about the obvious accident potential so let us all forget about ‘educating’ ourselves.

Another dimension is that previously elected office holders should have never granted planning permission in the first instance as they must have known that where there is supply that there will be demand, too. One might say: no attractions opposite, no road crossers! Oversimplifying a 24/7 world of commerce, I know.

Yet what really surprises me is the following: how come that we have a seemingly endless string of traffic lights in the middle of town where traffic slows down by itself due to congestion, but not a single one between Club Majesty exit and Mavisehir junction?

Solution: place one set of new traffic lights at the entrance junction adjacent to the coach station and a second one (interconnected to allow for ‘green light waves’ at the exit junction closer to the mid-sized well known (branded) supermarket.

However, away from the short ring road, on that dangerous Soke-Didim road catastrophe looms at any time regardless day or night. Drivers in and out of town tend to forget 100 km/h is fine on a motorway, but absolutely out of place on a country road.

The new traffic lights would at once reduce every driver’s speed. Granted, the journey time from Didim to Soke would perhaps increase by two to three minutes but frankly speaking, this is holiday country territory so who would really bother?

There were times I thought of proposing a pedestrian footbridge but then I realized unless it is a really big structure with stair-free ramps or even two elevators most elderly would not be able to carry heavy shopping bags up and down those extended flights of stairs.

Besides, some of the irresponsible drivers hinted at above might crash their speeding vehicles into one of the concrete poles at either end and cause additional accidents. Then the authorities and those affected by such a tragedy would put all blame on those residents who proposed that bridge in the first place.

Having said that, two sets of traffic lights seem to me the safest, most convenient and durable alternative – and of course the cheapest one, too! – and yes indeed, they might even be switched off during quiet winter’s nights or early summer mornings wee hours when no one would cross.

All this reminds me of something different as well: Didim and Kusadasi and Aydın, we all need a permanent Citizens Forum where Turkish and international residents can finally find a voice vis-à-vis our town hall(s). Topics such as today’s would most certainly unite all of us no matter where we originally hail from.