A theory as flawed as our roads

THE EDITOR: Medical students in University, as well as doctors seeking continuing medical education, are being taught increasingly the practice of evidence-based medicine, that is, the judicial use of medication, of appropriate surgery, or of laboratory and other investigations, based on extensive research from which tried and proven methods have been selected.

Mr Franklyn Khan, Minister of Works and Transport, declares as his aim  “to bring some discipline and order in the whole process” (of what remains unclear).  He then targets (presumably as undisciplined and disorderly) “illegal access to the Solomon Hochoy and the Churchill Roosevelt Highways” which are “traffic hazards”.  He also refers to the proliferation of billboards as being a “distraction to traffic” (??)  and also “pose a traffic hazard” (a phrase I abhor intensely).  And, like all politicians, he seeks to address an illegal problem, like driving through red traffic lights, which has been ignored for many years so that it has become normal.

But Mr Khan has not for one moment sought to look at, and research, the factors involved in the numerous fatal and non-fatal “accidents” on our roads.  He has not, for example, asked for a report on the alcohol levels of drivers whose vehicles “went out of control”, on the condition of the vehicles involved in accidents, on the estimated speed of one or other of the vehicles based on the brake marks’ measurements at the site. He has not even referred to the numerous recommendations for the use of breathalysers.  He has not asked for regulations regarding the maximum speed limit for public transport vehicles and for heavy duty vehicles.  Nor has he asked for a report on the disturbing absence of Highway Patrols at any time of day or night.

Mr Khan’s theatre does little to help the situation of murder and mayhem on our roads.  Indeed, failure to deal logically and systematically with problems may reveal a disturbing lack of competence displayed by those for whom we voted, hoping desperately for serious progress from third-world thinking and underdeveloped status.  For ministers to perform adequately, some form of continuing management education may be essential. Mr Manning must look seriously into  the performance and “performing” of those he selects as ministers of government...but then...

Dr B Chapman Boyd,
Family and Occupational Health Physician,
Arima

PS It is interesting to note that, in the United Kingdom, the term MVA (Motor Vehicle Accidents) has been officially and more realistically changed to Motor Vehicle Crashes.