I recently suggested that a partial solution to Kabul's traffic woes would be to rehabilitate and improve the traffic signal system. To my wondering eyes, a pole beside an intersection we've driven through every day for the past two weeks showed us a glowing red eye! Beneath the red light, the seconds to its change to green were counting down. Ask and you shall you shall be rewarded.

Of course, the only thing actually holding the onrushing cars back were the policemen at the crossroads glowering at us.