Paper don’t steer; people do

Feb 02, 2026 Dem Boys Seh, Features / Columnists

Kaieteur News – Dem boys seh is a funny country we living in, bai. Here, once yuh nah gat a licence, everybody quick to decide yuh can’t drive—especially if is a big lorry involved. But dem boys seh, since when licence alone turn man into Max Verstappen? Plenty people gat licence like souvenir, laminated and shiny, but driving skills? Missing like spare tyre when yuh need it most.

From the daredevil exhibition dem boys does witness on the road daily, is clear as Georgetown seawall at high tide: is not driving skills we short of. Is discipline. And the Five Cs of driving—care, courtesy, consideration, caution, and common sense—dem seem to mash up in a pothole somewhere between Eccles and Enmore.

Dem boys seh, we know fellas who nah got licence but could reverse a loaded truck into a tight yard with one hand on the wheel and the other holding a phone (not that we encouraging that, eh). Meanwhile, some certified professionals can’t park straight unless dem call three spotters, say a prayer, and sacrifice a clutch plate. Licence or no licence, ability is ability. Paper don’t steer vehicle—people do.

And leh we talk plain. If dem saying the truck roll back because of mechanical failure, dem boys seh that explanation need some better tyres. If the brakes fail, how come the gears didn’t hold? If the gears fail, how come the brakes nah bite? Or is both decide to tek a lunch break at the same time? That sound like two witnesses suddenly “forgetting” what happen.

Dem boys also asking: how heavy was the load? Because if yuh carrying weight like yuh hauling the national debt, physics gon collect its tax. Gravity don’t respect licence class. Gravity seh, “Try me.”

So leh we stop pretending every accident is mystery. Is not always about who licensed. Plenty people nah gat licence who can drive better than those who certify to drive. Dem boys seh until we learn that rules is not decoration and licences is not magic charm, we gon keep seeing truck rolling back like it reconsidering life choices. And dem boys seh finally—next time a truck decide to moonwalk down the road, leh we ask the right questions, not just check who got the paper.

Talk half. Leff half.

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