Dear Editor,
How often haven’t we heard the phrase ‘speed thrills but kills?’ But it enters through one ear, and exists the other without registering its significance or application for its avoidance, and it remains only a passing thought and comment for analytical purposes!
Our highways, roads and streets have been converted into race tracks to experience the thrill of the gooseneck turn with the pedal-to-the-metal effort on the long stretch. Patience has escaped our temperament, and “rush hour” is a foreign thing with a 6 O’clock morning to 6 O’clock evening Guyanese application, throughout the coastal belt.
A risk is always risky, and when indulged, one may be successful, or partially successful, or unsuccessful. Pedestrians, bikers and motorists do incur different degrees of risk, thus exposing themselves to different levels of danger.
Users of the road – whether walking, riding or driving – are always in a hurry, and deliberately take the following risks, which may be categorised: pre-mature risk, anticipated risk, calculated risk, dangerous risk, unnecessary risk, avoidable risk, careless risk, reckless risk, thoughtless risk, breath-taking risk, deadly risk, or costly risk. Why take a risk on the road when waiting a minute or two may make all the difference between being dead or alive; or, partially or severally injured; or, being safe and sound?
Common sense is a no-nonsense approach for this sensitive subject, and being sane and sensible is a sober reality which should be the guiding factor when using the road. The ideal situation may never be realized in Guyana, simply because most users prefer to remain insensitive to this senseless situation, and are conscious or unconscious of their actions and inactions, but clearly do not care or are unconcerned about the consequences. A care-free attitude provides the breathing ground for perpetual and perplexed accidents, particularly for those who participate in poor or no judgement.
The holiday season has just commenced, and already so many accidents have been recorded with deaths as a result. Friends and families will not have the pleasurable company of a young Berbice businessman who was allegedly test-driving his vehicle last Friday at a fast rate, but lost control. Was it speed, poor judgement, or mechanical failure being the contributing factor to his demise? Was this fatality the hand of fate, or could it have been avoided? Is there a lesson to be learnt? Is anyone paying attention?
Last Thursday, on the busy East Bank Road, a biker and his pillion rider lost their lives when they were involved in an accident with a lorry. Again, the usual scenario presented itself for this calamity, but the difference was with allegedly suspected criminal behaviour being deployed. A bitter lesson accompanies this tragedy, paying priceless dividends.
It is too late for those departed ones to be remorseful, but it is not too late for those who favour indulging in this type of trauma. Hopefully, the young and restless will pay heed and want to commit not to repeat anything so dramatic.
Misfortune struck several people when they were injured in an unfortunate accident which occurred over a week ago, again on the dangerous East Bank Road. Sadly, four people, including the driver, died. This time, observers reported that a minibus driven by an inconsiderate driver did what other drivers continued to do – attempted to overtake a line of traffic and ended up on the wrong side of the lane, law and life. How many drivers and bikers are guilty of this negligence, endangering themselves and others, and not observing the laws of the road by being passionately impatient? Many would prove positive for the test!
When would bus drivers acknowledge that they owe their passengers the responsibility of driving with the application of the five Cs: care, caution, consideration, courtesy and common sense? When will they drive while observing all traffic rules and regulations; driving with the five Ss in description: safely, soundly, soberly, sanely and simply? When will they drive not dangerously, destructively, dominatingly nor disruptively? When will they drive without loud or lewd music; driving with respect, regard and all requisite requirements; driving properly and presentively attired; driving with a clean, fully fuelled bus, with tyres already tested for adequate air; driving with enough change; driving with the passengers’ comfort in mind; driving with the passengers’ interest and time in mind?
Other vehicle drivers are also very much guilty of most of the aforementioned aggravation. Many would say, “Keep on dreaming”, or, “Not in this lifetime.” Nothing is truer or more realistic. In common practice, most accidents occur because of negligence, inexperience, impatience, speeding, alcohol, poor driving skills, inattention, and not observing and applying all traffic rules, regulations and guidance.
In poor weather conditions, the need to adjust accordingly is not heeded.
The Police have their hands filled and their job cut out for them. They are trying to cope with uncontrolled and undisciplined road users, but are limited in number and resources. Some also do not respect their uniforms, and indulge in controversial matters in contravention and contradiction of customary compliance. The Police need to step up to the plate in controlling noise nuisance by motorists, which is an abuse of public privilege and privacy. Overtaking and undertaking is a key area for monitoring and ticketing. Speeding is a sickening area, and needs to be curbed.
Overall, if road users can be responsible participators, many lives may be saved, and not lost. Road safety is everyone’s business. Do be the change for a change, and have a safe holiday season.
Yours respectfully,
Jai Lall
