Dear Editor,
Over the years parked vehicles on public roadways caused many accidents, some claiming a lot of lives, but still people are parking without giving any thought to the consequences. When accidents occur, many people jump to the conclusion that the driver was drunk, speeding etc, but sometimes the negligence of those who parked a vehicle could be the cause.
Rice is being cut presently, and from the combines, trailers are loaded and the paddy is taken for milling at the rice factories. Because of the amount, these trailers cannot be emptied when they reach the factories, and as a result, they end spending even days, sometimes, waiting their turn. At Harlem, WCD, there is a rice factory in a street, but on the public road, many trailers could be seen parked on both sides of the roadway. During the day, they are easily recognizable, but at night or if rain is falling, it is very dangerous. The way I understand it, anything parked on the roadways, especially on the public roads is supposed to have light and reflectors so that they can be easily recognized. I passed more than one trailer in that area at night and none of them had any lights. Some reflectors could be seen, but most of them were hidden by the covering that protects the paddy from the rain.
When the rain is falling, drivers have to be extra cautious, especially with the trailers parked on both sides, allowing little space for manoeuvring with vehicles going in both directions. Added to that most of the minibuses don’t have working air conditioners and because of that, condensation builds up on the windscreens and the drivers are only able to wipe the space in front of them, while visibility is very poor on the other side of the windscreen. I don’t know whether this lawlessness occurs in other places, but in Harlem there is enough parking space for the trailers in the street where the rice factory is located, so why aren’t those responsible ensuring that the roadways are clear of danger, especially at night? Are they waiting for an accident after which they will come out with a so-called preventative measure? Accidents don’t happen regularly, but when they do, lives are sometimes lost and that cannot be reversed!
Yours faithfully,
Sahadeo Bates
