The police in Berbice have stepped up their campaigns against drunk driving in an effort to curb road accidents, and have arrested and charged 36 drivers over the Easter weekend using the breathalyzer.
This week on What the people say we asked Berbicians whether they thought the road was now safer and what else could be done to prevent accidents. Here are their responses:
Archie McPherson, pensioner
‘It is dangerous for persons to drink and drive; they put their own life and other lives at risk. For a while now there were no major accidents in Berbice and I hope it remains that way. Police need to continue to use the breathalyzer because this is helping to reduce accidents on the road. Police need to do their jobs more responsibly and deal sternly with the drivers and don’t just warn them and send them away. If persons want to drink then they should park their vehicles at home and then go because they would not be able to control the vehicles… Another concern is that the street lights at Lovely Lass have not been working for several weeks now. Despite several calls to the authorities they still have not come. I am asking for them to be fixed urgently because that too can contribute to accidents.’
Chitradai Sookhoo, student
‘I am happy that the police are using the breathalyzers because there are too many drunk drivers. The police need to be more alert and be out on the road more often. Some drivers of public vehicles would also play music loudly and this is a form of distraction. They have no regard for passengers and do not like when they are told to turn down the volume. As a student, while travelling I am unable to read my books because of the loud music. Some of the buses are also overloaded and passengers are uncomfortable. I also noticed some drivers using cell phones while driving and I think that can distract them and cause accidents.’
Mahendra Persaud, vice-president, Aditya Foundation
‘I believe that the road should be a safe place, but I do not think that is the case. There are a lot of young drivers out there who buy their licences. They should go through the right procedures. I think the certifying officers need to be more efficient when issuing licences. I also think some minibus drivers put people’s lives at stake for money, but they should be more careful. Some traffic police accept money from drivers at times and allow them to break the rules and get off scot free. It is good that the police are using the breathalyzers but they also need to use it on their fellow police who are often seen drinking while wearing their uniforms. The uniforms need to be respected, but some police officers do not earn that respect. There are also a lot of old vehicles abandoned at the roadsides as well as other big vehicles parked there [which] also contribute to accidents.’
Jailall Sahadeo, businessman
‘The breathalyzer test is a good idea and would definitely make the road safer, but the police need to do it more often. If the police stop a driver for speeding they would not check him for driving under the influence. I do not believe in traffic campaigns because after the campaign drivers would think it is ok to break the rules. Police should not just warn them and let them go, the driver should be charged. With regard to strays on the road, it is very sad that the police pass the animals and leave them. Residents are afraid to take the animals to the pound because the animal owners would attack them.
‘Besides, recently at Mahaica a dead cow was left in the middle of the road for several hours and residents or the NDC did not see it fit to remove it. Then during the night a vehicle ran over it because the driver did not notice it because of its dark colour. The vehicle crashed but thank God no one was seriously hurt.’
Ishwardai Bharrat, student
‘Having more street lights would help to make the roads safer, but only a few villages in West Berbice have [them]. A police presence on the road with radar guns would help to prevent accidents. Some drivers give each other signals when police are out and they would slow down but start speeding again after they pass the police. Some drivers race to pick up passengers and would overtake at double yellow lines without proper signals. They hustle for a daily living but lives are at stake. Some drivers play the music too loud and they do not hear you when you tell them to stop at your destination. Cyclists also need to be more careful on the road; they ride without lights at nights.’
Roger Jagessar, machinist
‘There should be zero tolerance for drunk driving and it is a good thing that the police are using the breathalyzer equipment. More police officers should be out on the road. Strict penalties should be enforced on errant drivers and police should take away their licences. The road can only be a safer place if the drivers observe the rules. It is the negligence of drivers that contributes to accidents. They should obey the rules and regulations and drive within the speed limit. The animals on the roadways also cause accidents.’
Michael Hackett, university lecturer
‘The breathalyzer test is a good thing and should have started a long time ago, but it should be consistent. Police caught 36 drunk drivers last week, but of course a lot more would not get caught. I would pass vehicles at rum shops especially at nights, and I suspect that in most cases the drivers are drinking too. Sometimes at nights the vehicles would be swaying on the road. The traffic police would not be out then; only the patrols, but they should walk with the breathalyzer equipment and do spot checks. It would just take one drunken driver to kill someone. No one can predict when an accident would happen. The use of the breathalyzer would send a strong message. My wife and I were walking through a narrow street one night and a speeding car almost knocked us down. I was wondering if the driver was drunk. I also noticed the police using the radar guns and this is a good practice.
‘The road would be safer now as long as the police keep up the pressure. Berbice still has a problem with animals on the road. They are owned by people but they do not want to pen them down. If a donkey is knocked down nobody would claim it, but if you steal the donkey you are in trouble. We also need street lights along the roadways. A few years ago there were street lights Port Mourant to Albion but they were damaged. Government needs to replace them.’
Shameer Khan, clerk of works
‘So far everything the police have done to make the road safer has achieved its objective. I am a regular road user in Regions Four, Five and Six and I have observed the wanton disregard for life and limb. The recklessness of drivers is only held in check because of the fear of police. If not the road would have been a place for death and destruction. Many drivers seem not to know the traffic rules. Accidents do not happen; they are caused either by recklessness, drunkenness, defective vehicles, inexperienced drivers and failing to observe safety rules and instructions. I applaud the traffic department and hope they intensify their operations. Drivers claim
that police hide in bus sheds and pounce on them with radar guns, but they would have nothing to fear as long as they are within the ambit of the law.’
Ramlall Ramdihal, field foreman
‘Drinking and driving contributes to most of the accidents and the breathalyzers would help to get these drivers off the road. If they want to drink and exceed a certain amount of alcohol they should get back-up drivers. Strict penalties should also be imposed to keep animals off the road. Other factors that can prevent accidents are street lights and having more traffic officers on the road which would help to reduce speeding. Speed humps should be erected in busy areas,
such as in the vicinity of schools and marketplaces so drivers slow down. If drivers take more precautions there would be less road carnage.’
Taitree Seulall, student
‘I think the use of the breathalyzers would help to make the roads safer because a lot of accidents are caused by drunk driving. I use public transportation every day to go to school and some of the drivers take a lot of chances. I would sit quietly and pray to get there safely. Some drivers need to slow down and be more careful. The drivers would sometimes play loud, vulgar music. I feel very embarrassed when I hear them especially when older people are in the vehicle as well.’
