We desperately need lights and reflectorson this dark and dangerous highway

May 12, 2019 Letters

Dear Editor,
I can no longer fathom the cruelty faced by humanity through the absence of road lights and scarcity of reflectors along the Linden / Soesdyke Highway. It is with great concern that I address this matter that affects every single person travelling along the highway, whether it’s on a daily basis from Linden to Georgetown or vice versa for the purpose of work and school. This also includes persons who travel on selective days during the week for personal preferences.
The majority which are the taxi drivers and bus drivers usually drive along this highway to make a living. These drivers are deemed responsible for the lives of many, yet the passage in which they drive along becomes unsafe when evening approaches. Not saying it’s fully safe during the day either, because accidents still occur but accidents are more likely to occur at night. The headlights that are placed on the vehicles are not enough for guideline along that highway that is dark as the shadow of advancing death.
It was about a week ago that I received a wake-up call about this particular issue, whereby I was on my way to Linden and the car experienced a blow-out. The driver, other passengers and I were completely doomed along that highway and we decided to seek help from passing vehicles. It was hard, because some drivers who were willing to help were sceptical because of how dark the place was and danger is more prominent in dark areas.
Whenever it’s raining it’s already an absolute struggle to see on the road, more so control a vehicle that has the wiper wiping across the windshield consistently; especially if it’s raining heavily. Do you think that’s heart-rending enough? When foreign drivers travel the highway, it is made especially difficult for them, especially since the road is dark and they hit all the water on it. One man said, “If I drive again at night on duh highway, something mussy wrong with me”.
While this was a choice for him and some others it’s not for many drivers that work every day from Georgetown to Linden. Also, sometimes drivers depend on other drivers to drive ahead to guide them at turns.
This problem also occurs on the East Bank Demerara public road near the Asphalt Plant Building. When evening approaches, it’s difficult for drivers to see along the roadway. This is more problematic when some drivers decide to drive with their high beams and coloured lights. Additionally, some policemen are also guilty of this practice.
In an attempt to ensure security and safety for every civilian which is a right ascribed to them in The Guyana Constitution, Chap 3 – Under Fundamental Rights and Freedom of the Citizens :S 40 (1) (a). I went as far to conduct a research to find solutions to the dark highway and over 217 persons along with myself suggested that lights should be placed along the highway with some amount of barbed-wires along the upper parts of the posts to prevent persons from removing them. There should also be reflectors.
Drivers should be charged if found driving with high-beam and coloured lights. The police officers found driving with coloured lights should have their vehicles stripped of such devices.
I am anticipating a prompt response that comes with your efficient and effective service.
Yours respectfully
Reanna McGarrell

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