Dear Editor,
In a letter which appeared in SN on October 28, writer Kit Nascimento expressed the view that the continuing accidents with loss of lives on Guyanese Roads are the result of reckless driving, inadequate legal protection and law enforcement. These observations are just “a tip of the iceberg” for the causes of the mayhem being inflected on the populace. Most of the motor vehicles in Guyana are second-hand imports and therefore their mechanical, hydraulic and electronic systems could and are suspects of worthiness particularly with respect to their steering, brakes, tires, fluids transmission and electrical wiring. For example, if the brake pads when activated do not apply the required pressures evenly, a vehicle would tend to spin out of control at moderate speed. The same happens with improperly inflated tires.
Therefore, all vehicles should get regular inspections by certified outfits to determine their road worthiness. Observations in New York City show that most of its streets have a speed limit of 25 MPH which is enforced with recording (speed + licence plate #) cameras. The fines for infractions are steep with the loss of a driver’s license after three convictions. The result of this enforcement is evident as most New Yorkers tend to be cautious drivers in their driving habits. The Police Department could install similar systems at critical locations in Guyana which will not only reduce the number of fatalities on the roads/streets but boost the Government’s coffer.
Sincerely,
Charles Sohan
