Dear Editor,
I left the traffic court of Georgetown on the 26th June after being a party in a case where the other person was charged for dangerous driving and pleaded guilty, asking myself the question what the definition of justice is. This was after the guilty party detailed to the Magistrate her financial deprivation, was discharged without a fine being imposed, and was simply reminded to be careful in the future.
Editor, this is a person who has caused damage close to six hundred thousand dollars and has caused me to be inconvenienced for over a month, since my vehicle has been in the workshop being repaired. Is this justice?
On the other hand, you have insurance companies that are bent on maximizing profits with little or no regard for their client’s welfare by involving in schemes with auto parts dealers to defraud the persons that have them in existence. The time is most opportune for an arbitration mechanism to ensure clients are protected.
The end result is my being saddled with a bill of a quarter of a million dollars due to no fault of mine and the guilty party being discharged with an admonishment to be careful in the future.
No wonder we have seen the constant increase in traffic accidents that have resulted in the loss of our human capital and damage to property over the years. The law must be dispensed in such a way that there is fairness in the protection of rights and the punishment of wrongs. If it cannot, then it must be amended.
The anarchy and carnage on our roads will continue and we will not see our roads being safe if the law seemingly encourages rather than deters errant drivers. The accident figures over the years are testament to the fact that we are our worst enemy because our courts are governed by archaic laws that make a mockery of justice.
It must be noted that the Magistrate advised that redress can be further pursued in the High Court.
Yours faithfully,
Dexter Glasgow
