In just over a week, five persons have died in accidents as a result of drivers racing on the roadways.
On March 8, in a tragic accident at De Willem, West Coast Demerara (WCD), three men lost their lives when a driver lost control of a car and it slammed into them as they stood in a nearby sports bar. Then, one week later, on March 15, two men died in an early morning accident along the Number One Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). In both instances the drivers were allegedly racing.
In the aftermath of these horrendous and seemingly unprecedented fatal road accidents within a fairly short period of time, the consequences have attracted national attention. These families are now left trying to cope with the loss of loved ones.
The sudden and shocking death of someone close, especially due to an accident, can never be easy. The ensuing excruciating pain and mental trauma that are inflicted on surviving relatives can be unbearable.
In a fleeting moment, families have been plunged into sadness and despair, having received the dreadful news that an accident took the life of someone dear to them. That’s the painful result, and often its real and lingering impact may be hidden from the spotlight of the media.
The reality is that, people, including those who survive an accident, suffer in unimaginable ways. The recent spate of accidents even prompted some to ask the question: “How many more?” One interpretation from that simple question speaks to whether lessons are being learnt from accidents over time. In other words, how many more have to die before better care is being taken while using the roadways?
Given what has taken place over a few days, one could not be faulted for concluding that the results of the accidents may not have inspired a more responsible behaviour. However, judging from sentiments expressed by the public, it appears that more cognisance has seemingly being brought to the mindsets of many.
While that is extremely heartening, there is uncertainty as to whether the mindsets of the regular errant drivers have been impacted, or have they learnt anything from what were the obviously painful experiences of others. Judging from what continues to take place on the roadways, it seems clear that many drivers haven’t learnt, or are clearly refusing to even be bothered by the harrowing fatal accidents.
On a daily basis, many drivers use the roadways in a very reckless manner, thereby endangering occupants and other road users, the least themselves. It becomes painful even to see how they manoeuvre, seemingly without an iota of care for others. Again, it brings into question the role of law enforcement to try and curb such irresponsible behaviour, especially since some traffic violations do occur in the presence of Police.
Many of those violations involve a minibus. It begs another question: if members of the public can take the time and effort to highlight daily traffic violations for which the Police sometimes intervene, why can’t the Police themselves use the CCTV cameras in a sustained effort to make defaulters face the law?
Importantly, the Police must holistically demonstrate that sense of commitment to genuinely collaborate with members of the public to collectively tackle the situation. This becomes even more necessary given that, generally, the Police’s image in clamping down on errant drivers, is not very flattering, especially since many are believed to own minibuses and taxis. The pain people feel is real and crushing.
