Maybe a ‘national conversation’ should be initiated

Dear Editor,
Without doubt, I’m sure all would agree, the traffic situation existing in Guyana is shouting from the rooftops for there to be sanity on the roadways.
Let me, first of all, say I’m convinced that the police, under the capable leadership of the Traffic Chief and ranks under his leadership, are doing a commendable job, especially taking into consideration the blatant disregard for law and order on the roadways.
I traverse the East Bank and East Coast corridors and Georgetown almost every day, and have seen firsthand the lawlessness that goes on (in addition to posts with expressions in video format of incidents in other parts of the country) in these places. I may be wrong, but, along with others I’ve spoken with, I get the impression that we’re intent on committing suicide by means of traffic incidents.
Actually, I’ve seen some improvement in the “motor cycle brigades”, who, a few months ago, formed their own “lanes” between designated lanes. A slight shift on either side by a motor vehicle could easily end the life of an errant, helmetless motorcyclist. I’m convinced that our motorcyclists can compete in, and win with “flying colours”, any OLYMPIC competition for daredevil riding.
In regard to motor vehicles in Georgetown, it would annoy any responsible road user to experience traffic congestion, whether at known busy spots or at peak periods (neither of which follows the pattern established just a year or two ago. Every hour of the day or night is now peak time) to come up to a vehicle double parked, with its hazard lights on as if this gives them licence to park wherever they want to.
Regrettably and unfortunately, vehicles owned by the state are also guilty of this travesty.
I often wonder why many more vehicles blatantly breaching traffic laws, resulting in frustrating traffic inconveniences, are not “clamped”. The “clampers” MUST know the hot spots, and police these areas much more often. Not enough clamps? Surely, they can be built locally.
When found guilty of certain traffic offences, drivers of minibuses, hire cars, trucks, and I suggest any category of motor vehicle using our roads, should suffer the loss of use of their vehicles for up to two weeks, depending on the severity of the offence; hurting them where it means most, in their pockets.
I understand that truck drivers are now driving in excess of TWELVE, and in some cases SIXTEEN, hours continuously; as they earn “per load”, as minibus drivers do. It is debatable which category of these drivers is now more dangerous on the roads: trucks, mini buses, hire cars (and MANY are private cars “wukking” hire), motor cyclists, or any other category of road user.
I had a personal experience a few days ago, when a “container truck” nearly ran me off the road at the roundabout with the Jaguar, the driver cussing me up in the process. I have the number, possibly with one digit incorrect.
Another suggestion is that errant users of the roads should be rounded up and taken to the hospitals to “visit” those who were lucky enough to survive an accident. Maybe taking some of them to the funerals of those not so lucky to survive would bring home the message in a more profound way. It is past the time we in Guyana can continue to just “fret” when using the roads. URGENT action is essential to bring an end to the carnage.
I wish to ask a few brief questions in this regard:
Is there still a law requiring motor cyclists and their pillion riders to wear helmets?
Are ANY and All vehicles NOW permitted to “tint” their windows and windshields without the requisite authority?
Are there emergencies at a particular time every morning, to have ambulances and police vehicles on particular roads with their sirens on? A few mornings ago, to my utter amazement, I saw an ambulance with sirens on stop to pick up someone on Heroes Highway who was not sick.
Why are obviously “private” vehicles permitted to have and use sirens and security lights?
I am just wondering, but maybe a ‘national conversation’ should be initiated, since no one is the font of wisdom in this regard; and hopefully, implementable suggestions would flow from such an initiative.

Regards,
Harry N Nawbatt