CORDIALITY NEEDED

Feb 21, 2017 Editorial, Features / Columnists

Guyanese at home and abroad are known to be among the friendliest people in the world. Everywhere they go, they boast of the country’s warmth and hospitality. But while their national identity is tied to the country’s distinctive culture, heritage, symbols and happiness, there is at least one area where the nation has not live up to its image—the carnage on the roads.
With regard to using the roadways, many drivers and pedestrians tend to throw all their cordiality out of the window, thus making the roads the nation’s death chamber. In 2016, there were 127 traffic fatalities and countless accidents committed by mostly reckless and drunk drivers, not to mention careless pedestrians.
A look further back into the records revealed that in the past decade, nearly 1500 people have perished in traffic accidents compared to two decades earlier when the death toll was less than half. Sadly, it seems that traffic fatalities have become an all too common reality in the country. There seems to be no end in sight. Is it because there is no proper strategy in place?
Driving has become a very risky activity. High levels of speeding, drunk driving and the inappropriate use of mobile devices have all made the roads more dangerous. To this must be added the downright boorish behaviour that unfolds on the roads on a daily basis. Drivers no longer use courtesy, many dart in and out of lanes without regard for the traffic rules, lights are not properly dimmed, and a general sense of irrationality prevails.
The year is still relatively new, and this might be a good time for the government and by extension the Traffic Department to implore drivers to not only exercise caution on the road, but to be courteous to their fellow drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. The implementation of speed guns, which last year arguably resulted in reduced levels of road fatalities and accidents and increased ticket revenue, is not enough. The authorities have to go one step further and install cameras on the highways to catch speeding drivers and motorcyclists. The prompt implementation of this new technology will definitely help in a significant way.
Guyana’s population is too small to have so many people being killed on the roads. Something has to be done to put an end to this. We reiterate that the government must be proactive to reduce the disorder on the roads. It seems as though the present punishment for errant drivers is not a deterrent. More far-reaching measures are needed. If we are serious about reducing the carnage on the roads, there needs to be tougher penalties than what exist.
Today, the majority of deaths in the country no longer involve the use of guns or knives or by suicide. It involves the use of cars, which has been a longstanding concern in society. And although drivers are being urged to be more vigilant and to desist from drinking or taking risks while driving, only a few are practicing safe driving.
Human life is sacred and all in society must act to prevent more loss of life on the roads. In his book, the “The Sacredness of Human Life”, David Gushee, a preeminent Christian ethicist contends that the sacredness of human life is one of the most precious legacies of biblical faith—albeit one that society has too often failed to uphold and protect. It is without a doubt that better driving practices are definitely needed in order to end the madness on our roads. Drivers must relate to each other in a more cordial way. Is that too much to ask?

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