Traffic training for police ranks a welcome blessing

Feb 18, 2009 Letters

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Dear Editor,
Last Friday’s workshop to educate traffic ranks throughout the country on how to administer the breathalizer tests could not have come at a better time.
Not because the legislation will soon be assented to by the President, but because there appears to be a lack of knowledge on the part of traffic ranks with regards to certain aspects of their duties.
This is not to say that traffic ranks are ignorant of some of the laws governing the use of the roads.
However, I believe that constant training will go a long way in easing some of the embarrassment some ranks put themselves through on a daily basis.
Take the new traffic light system, for example.
Most, if not all, would believe that traffic ranks would have been well versed in the operation of the traffic light, having regard to the different features that they possess.
But, on February 12, I came to the realisation that this is not so.
I will deal with that later on in this letter.
No one can point an accusing finger at the Police Traffic Department, since it is my view that they have done yeoman work to reduce the carnage that had obtained on our roads for a number of years.
However, it is hoped that, with the imminent introduction of the drink driving legislation, traffic ranks will act professionally and responsibly, and would not use it to add further fuel to the fire with regards to the recent perception of rampant corruption within the organisation.
I am pleased that the Police Traffic Department has gone a step further by advertising the soon-to-be implemented law, by training its officers on its application.
Traffic Chief Neil Semple indicated that the recent breathaliser tests’ training, because of the medical implications, necessitated the knowledge of a doctor to shed some light on the matter to the 45 ranks from various parts of the country, who were part of the initial training programme.
The intention is that, by the time the training programme is over, policemen and women from each division would be familiar with the application of the new legislation.
Like the traffic light system, several other pieces of new traffic equipment have been introduced; and according to the traffic chief, training will help a great deal.
These are new areas that we’re going into, so it calls for a lot of training.
He was appalled that some traffic ranks appear to be ignorant of the way the new traffic light system functions.
He was given a scenario which I experienced last week.
Most traffic lights at four-corner junctions have lights that direct motorists either to go straight across or turn.
However, if the turning arrow is flashing, it requires the motorists to turn with caution, taking into consideration traffic flowing from the other direction.
I had such an experience on February 12, when a mini bus turned into my path on High Street from Hadfield Street.
I tried to explain to the driver that he was reckless, and even solicited the help of a traffic rank to convince the mini bus driver that he was wrong.
To my surprise, the rank caused me great embarrassment by informing me that the driver was within his right to turn.
He even advised me that I should have been the one to show caution as I crossed the junction, although my light had indicated a ‘straight’ green.
When I contacted the traffic chief, he said that he found it strange that a traffic rank did not understand the traffic light system.
Most of the traffic ranks are drivers, and in the initial stages of the implementation, the use of the traffic lights and how it works had to be ventilated.
Another senior traffic officer indicated that there may be a need for refresher training of ranks on a regular basis.
I believe that, in most cases, the police cannot successfully prosecute persons for traffic offences, once the alleged offender is willing to challenge them and endure the long court process.
Because it is simpler to just ‘give a cop a raise’ and forego the time consuming process, corruption among police ranks is regaining a frightening momentum.
Another case in point is the use of multi-lane carriageways.
As far as I know, the law in Guyana has not been changed from driving on the left hand side of the road.
Yet, while driving along the Rupert Craig Highway, most drivers force you to undertake, because I believe they are oblivious to the law, or just don’t care.
There are always traffic policemen on that stretch of road, either stationary or mobile, and I have never seen drivers being apprehended for this practice.
I was told that, only recently, Assistant Commissioner Paul Slowe, a former traffic chief, who uses that road on a daily basis, had cause to upbraid a driver for failing to pull to his left and give way to the overtaking vehicle.
I know that the traffic chief also uses that road on a daily basis also, and I hope that it will not take too much for police officers who observe this practice to stop and take action immediately, and stop this ignorance of the laws on our roads.
Dale Andrews

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