DRINKING AND DRIVING!

Sep 23, 2015 Editorial

It is time for the government to acknowledge that the country’s highways have become the death zones in Guyana. Every effort must be made to reduce the senseless carnage on the roadways.
The fact that only a handful of the thousands of drunk drivers are apprehended is a testimony to the failure of the police and the authorities.
The deaths of 10-month-old Aiden Anderson on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway and 65 year old Shanty Dallana on the Corentyne Highway over the weekend are two deaths too many. Added to these is the death of 23-year-old Devon Deene of Fyrish Village on Monday. It was reported that all the drivers were speeding.
Based on the current available police statistics on road fatalities, it is likely that the year 2015 will surpass 2014. Almost 100 persons have died in traffic accidents so far and alcohol and speeding have contributed to the majority of the fatalities.
People tend to think that pedestrians and bicyclists are the most vulnerable to the dangers of the road but the truth is drunk drivers and their passengers are more at risk of losing their lives in traffic accidents. Most drunk drivers are impaired and tend to drive recklessly. They are not afraid of the police.
The government and the police must take drastic action to make the roads safer and reduce the high number of fatalities, especially among children and senior citizens.
Not only must the police and the government be blamed for the accidents and deaths on the roads, but also drivers, particularly those operating minibuses and passenger cars. Motor cyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians and alcohol must also be blamed.
Drivers must not drink and drive; they must be alert and should be more sensitive to the presence of other road users. They must exercise caution at all times so as to make the roads safer.
While some feel a stricter regime of licensing is needed to reduce fatalities on the roads, others have demanded more traffic enforcement by the police and more severe penalties for drivers who violated the traffic laws.
They also believe that there should be an apprentice period for new drivers in order for them to gain sufficient experience before allowed to drivealone, especially at nights and in rainy conditions. Passing a driver’s test and obtaining a license are not enough for drivers or motorcyclists to drive or ride by themselves as is currently the case.
Statistics have shown that most traffic accidents and deaths are caused by drunk drivers, speeding and by drivers who overtake other vehicles in high-risk areas such as intersections, entrances to shopping malls and in areas where there are solid double yellow lines.
Also, some motorcyclists do not wear their helmets and protective equipment properly. Drivers and motor cyclists must always assume that other drivers have not seen them or that they are in their blind spot.
Unfortunately, some drivers are easily distracted and often forget that animals also use the roads. They must be aware that animals are considered kings in their own kingdoms and this applies to the roads that they use at will.
It is better to save a life than to take one, therefore it would be wise for drivers to respect the speed limits to ensure that their ability to control their vehicles are not compromised.
Drivers should also adjust their driving to adapt to hazardous road conditions such as rains. Motor cycles should avoid the show-off spectacle and be considerate of others. Safety requires all users of the roads to remember the five “Cs” and to know what defensive driving is.
The APNU+AFC government must urgently implement policies to make the roads safer and to prevent the loss of life—a sign of good governance. Life is precious and one traffic death is one too many.The government should take heed.

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