Traffic Chief Dennis Stephen’s revelation that some 60 per cent of road deaths countrywide are of pedestrians is very startling.
To quote the Traffic Chief: “Pedestrians would have been a challenge to us, being the most vulnerable road users… we would have observed that most of the pedestrians do not observe the rules of the road.”
Added to this, there were 87 fatal accidents so far for the year, as compared to 79 in the corresponding period last year.
The sudden and shocking death of someone close, especially due to an accident, can never be easy to endure. 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 after receiving the dreadful news that an accident had taken the lives of persons 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, and more so the one in which six persons died in a horrific accident over the weekend in Berbice, has 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 taken while using the roadways?
Given what has been taking place on our roadways, one could not be faulted for concluding that the results of the accidents may not have inspired more responsible behaviour. There is uncertainty as to whether the mindsets of the regular errant drivers have been impacted; whether they have learnt anything from what were obviously painful experiences of others. Judging from what continues to take place on the roadways, it seems clear that many drivers have not learnt anything from, 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 the lives of occupants and other road users; not to mention themselves. It becomes painful even to see how they manoeuvre their vehicles seemingly without an iota of care for others. Again, it brings into question the role of law enforcement to try and curb such irresponsible behaviours, especially since some traffic violations do occur in the presence of members of the Police Force. Many of those violations involve a minibus.
The general public is hurting, and is pleading for help. Sometime ago, a 12-year-old schoolgirl was killed in a horrifying accident at Nismes, West Bank Demerara. In the face of that emotional devastation, her mother had made a public plea for passengers to demand being let out of a minibus that is speeding, or from one in which the driver is imbibing alcoholic beverage.
In addition, the suggestion for undercover cops to pose as passengers is repeated. That would help to validate, if nothing else is working, allegations of speeding, reckless driving, and overloading, among other violations.
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.
The Government has advertised for a consultant to commence work on a Road Safety Diagnostic and Action Plan (2022-2026), which would see the design of a Road Safety Action Plan (RSAP) aimed at reducing the number of road traffic deaths. We look forward to this action plan, as the pain people feel is real and crushing. The question of “How many?” is therefore relevant, and the cries for mitigating actions must no longer seemingly fall on deaf ears.
