Dear Editor,
I experienced great consternation after reading an article in Kaieteur News (07.02.18) dealing with a fatality involving a child on a pedestrian crossing.
The article began with a statement by the Acting Traffic Chief about the recent announcement of impending stiffer penalties to be imposed on traffic offenders.
As a former vibrant member of the Consu-mer Movement of Guyana (CMOG) together with Messers Kendall and Eleazer, I recalled us having a meeting with a Traffic Chief some five to seven years ago when he stated that the AG Chambers staff were reviewing road traffic legislation to make it more punitive for offenders. In subsequent years the ‘Women in Black’ in protesting the carnage of children on the road due to accidents were promised, by no less a person than the head of state, that these laws would be revisited with the aim of bringing the brunt of the law to bear on errant motorists. Up to February 2007 this change has not been done and I am not going to hold my breath for this becoming a reality.
I am aware that for decades there have been a number of police officers appointed to the post of Traffic Chief mainly as a promotional opportunity, and whose tenure in that position has been of a relatively short duration. These incumbents therefore have no plan of action which they bring to the position or which they would endeavour to implement whereby they can give an annual account to the nation of their stewardship in the matter of road traffic regulation and control. In this regard I recall the stamp of authority which the late Mr Fred Peterkin, many decades ago, brought to the road traffic scene in this country in addition to the respect which all and sundry had for his professionalism and ‘no nonsense’ approach to his work.
Mr Editor, the mere legislating of penalties does little to stem the ‘lah di dah’ approach of people who use our roads today. The police over the years have dropped the baton in bringing to book the errant users of the roads. Who does one appeal to when the attention of a young police ‘lad’ is drawn to a cyclist riding westward in Robb Street between Bourda and Alexander Streets, despite a steel barrier at Alexander Street and he tells you, ‘Wah yu wan me do, run behine e?’ I am almost sure that despite his background had he been exposed to a course in etiquette, social graces in dealing with the public, a course given by Mr Herbie Dyer, or Ms Joyce Sinclair, he would not have answered me in such a crude manner. I am not sure that the police training course provides for such ‘sophistication’ inputs. The police force has blatantly allowed cyclists to ride their cycles without a light during the hours of darkness and also horse-drawn carts to operate without a lantern or even a ‘flambeau.’ Cyclists no longer utilize spoke lights. The cadre of recruits into the police are in the main those under-achievers from the school system who have come through the cracks and crevices. They take absolutely no pride in upholding the laws of the country and feel ‘privileged’ to turn a blind eye to infractions committed by their colleagues and to compromise evidence of such. There is no zero tolerance being brought to bear by them in promoting and contributing to a disciplined society.
In reverting to the matter of pedestrian crossings it is an undisputed fact and it is common knowledge that the markings of these pedestrian crossings in this county leave a whole lot to be desired. I have written extensively that pedestrian crossings and other road-marking signs need to be machine marked with ‘carbonized road marking paint,’ which marking could last for at least four years rather than the 3-4 months of the house paint applied at the whim and fancy of some NGOs seeking a photo opportunity for civic involvement. Just look at the recent painted markings on Mandela and Home Stretch Avenues which have started to be eroded less than one month after being painted.
In addition, since a road user could be charged for using the road without due care and attention, a neon sign ‘must’ be planted or installed near to every pedestrian crossing informing users that a pedestrian crossing exists, say, between 20-25 yards ahead. In lighted roads street lamps must be installed in the area of pedestrian crossings to illuminate the immediate vicinity. The ‘stop at major road’ signs displayed on poles are no longer a feature of the road traffic central system.
I am aware that the modern drivers, in the majority, those who drive minibuses and cars for hire, are preoccupied with their rapacious behaviour in obtaining the maximum fares in the shortest possible time in order to meet the owner’s target and to consume a number of stouts at the nearest watering hole after work. Others are taken up with the image they present behind a wheel regardless of how illiterate and illogical they are, and the front seat faces they are able to attract.
Pedestrians must be bombarded in the media with public announcements that they must use the pedestrian crossings, especially where they are co-located with traffic lights in order to permit a uniform flow of traffic in the direction of a lighted green light, and only then. In Atlanta two months ago a scientist attending an international conference was arrested by the police for crossing a street at a place other than at the traffic light pedestrian crossing and he was charged with jaywalking.
Editor, the fact that the acquisition of motorized vehicles has been facilitated by the hire-purchase system and all sorts have accessed this facility, it behoves the traffic authorities to pursue a zero-tolerance policy to traffic regulation and control with regard to the present pedestrian crossing saga until the facilities outlined above are instituted and implemented. To suggest that the pedestrian crossings are now adequate is to be hypocritical, in other words a publicity stunt.
Finally, to deal condignly with errant traffic users it is vital that we install closed circuit TV cameras at certain traffic light intersections to obtain irrefutable evidence of infractions by motorists and other road users. At this time of undiminished carnage on our roads I am surprised that there is no clarion call for such a system. In addition why hasn’t there been a call for cycles to be imported with bells, headlights and rear lights? Why not? The Police Traffic Department should be in the vanguard of such a call.
At least three decades ago in Guyana the agents of a chocolate beverage sponsored a high school debate competition on the subject ‘Whether or not Education or Regimentation could contribute to better road traffic discipline in Guyana.’ With continued high levels of illiteracy among the population it is proven that the only alternative is zero-tolerance by the police.
Your response please, Mr Traffic Chief (acting).
Yours faithfully,
Aubrey Alexander
