Dear Editor,
I refer to yet another Road Safety Campaign launch as reported in your October 21st. edition of this instant. Our new campaign theme is now “Do the right thing” and according to the report the Minister has announced the new campaign is with a view to emphasize its goal to promote safe practices and behaviours by road users particularly as we approach Road Safety Month in November. Editor, I am now eagerly awaiting an announcement of how the Minister plans to execute with effectiveness this new initiative. I have said before that slogans alone will not change the way people behave any more than “Road Safety is Everyone’s Business” or “Respect the Road” didn’t.
What is of equal concern is that this campaign, according to the Minister, is not just about road safety but instead of a wider safety and security concerns in public spaces and that the decision to focus on road safety was made after consultations with the Road Safety Council. Editor, Road Safety is important enough to merit its own stand-alone campaign at this juncture as the development landscape of our country keeps changing at a rapid pace. Having said that, Safety campaigns require everyone to do the right thing, but it must emphasize strongly what the right thing is and not assume that everyone knows.
Speaking specifically to Road safety, many road users clearly do not know what the right thing is and must be re-educated. There are newer and never before used road markings and signs which many do not understand and that is compounded by the high number of drivers and motorcyclists who appears never to have been near a driving class or even a Highway Code. The Guyana Police Force, Traffic Division could financially sustain itself just by the great number of violations committed each day by road users. This “Do the Right Thing” campaign must announce specific measures to deal with and charge the appropriate fines. For example, the police do not issue traffic tickets but instead invites lawbreakers to the station where it is widely alleged that they pressure the driver or rider on ways to avoid appearing in court.
Institute a system where the charge is recorded and the driver or other is told where they can pay the fine e.g. any police station and obtain a receipt, failure to do so will result in the fine being debited to your license when renewed, with interest. If speeding and DUI are the main causes of road and fatal accidents, as our Traffic Chief said, then the GPF must deploy more patrols and safety checks. Safety equipment such as helmets do not prevent an accident, it simply protects the rider from the possibility of greater injury. More patrols around bars, clubs and major roads and highways can help to reduce the DUI practice.
There is no denying that there are rogue cops who are out to enrich themselves, but we must know that corruption feeds on low wages and character attributes, so this has to be addressed. Insurance companies have to be on board with the traffic laws and be given the authority to revoke or increase drivers’ insurance, just as the GPF must be equipped with the tools to endorse and revoke licenses. I agree that every aspect of Safety on or off the road must be a priority and that everyone must “Do the Right Thing”, but we cannot be naive in our thinking that for e.g. GPL or GWI will take appropriate action to keep their work sites safe and to clean-up after a job is completed.
Editor, “Do the Right Thing” will remain a hopeful slogan and dream if nothing is done to educate everyone concerned as to what is the right thing and what are the penalties of failure to do so.
Sincerely,
Bernard Ramsay