Dear Editor,
Your editorial of Saturday, June 21, 2014, ‘The circus on our roads’ was as timely as it was pointed. There were many aspects of the piece that we can all relate to and empathise with, whether as pedestrians, cyclists or motorists. I would like to add my voice to the conversation and say Guyana has produced a breed of impatient and uncultured road users who show no tolerance or courtesy to fellow road users. Further, the growing trend of converting pavements for the parking of vehicles, thereby forcing pedestrians onto roadways requires the urgent attention of the relevant authorities. It is against the background of the continued, unabated circus on our roads that I was particularly dismayed with the exposure in the Guyana Chronicle of Friday, June 20, in the ‘Bombshell Entertainment’ Section – “2014 Champion of Champion Vehicle Sound off.”
The article spoke of “steamy clashes” among vehicles “vying for top honours in the twelve and eighteen inch speaker categories.’ The article further went on to articulate the virtues of the event: “The venture will see SUVs, cars, vans, bikes and mini-buses facing off in a bombastic sound clash to determine which vehicles are fitted with the hardest, loudest and cleanest sounds.”
As I read the article I thought what madness would allow the authorities to permit this event even as the police battle daily to bring drivers and vehicles under regulation in this regard.
And what of the recent, untimely and cruel death of young Joseph Quallis, who lost his life when, it was alleged, the driver of the vehicle which slammed him into a metal fence, was speeding and playing loud music? A young life carelessly snuffed out and nothing changes.
The sore contention here is what guarantees are in place to ensure the twelve and eighteen-inch speaker systems do not find themselves in the SUVs, cars, vans and most particularly the minibuses?…because as sure as day follows night they will.
Every day and night loud music, several decibels over the legal and decent limit, emanating from moving vehicles, can be seen and heard. The problem has become a public nuisance and demands a public response.
In closing, the column by Sir Ron Sanders, ‘Who rules from financial service rules?’ (KN, June 22) was very enlightening and informative. It is hoped both the government and opposition have taken note of the bigger picture in the ongoing AML/CFT saga.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address
provided)