Senior cop calls on motorists to slow down

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Dennis Graham, is pleading with the motoring public to desist from flouting traffic laws to reduce the carnage on the roads. He was speaking at the launch of the Central Division Traffic Safety Campaign at Presentation College in Chaguanas, Wednesday night. He advised motorists that they should not only drive for themselves, but for the entire motoring public. ACP Graham recited a poem, which he advised all drivers to learn: “Here lies the body of Jonathan Gray, who died defending his right of way. He was right, quite right, that as he sped along, Just as if he had been wrong.” ACP Graham noted the irony in the poem — the fact that Jonathan Gray was dead right, whereas the other person involved in the accident was dead wrong, but still alive. The ACP also called on the public to desist from driving defective vehicles and exceeding the speed limit.

Chaguanas Mayor Suruj Rambachan, who also spoke at the launch, said a vehicle was a dangerous weapon in the hands of an irresponsible person. He added that he hoped the effort would help change the culture of the driving public in Trinidad, and ultimately preserve lives. The mayor also called on the authorities to review the procedures used to obtain a driving permit. He suggested that applicants for driving permits undergo training in anger management and defensive driving for at least 50 hours before receiving a learner’s permit. He also recommended that a driver with more than three years experience accompany a first-time permit holder for at least one year before being allowed to drive on their own. A call was also made for the police to enforce all traffic laws within the borough. The Traffic Safety Campaign, which started on Wednesday, will run until the end of October. The “Traffic Village” will be opened for public viewing from next Wednesday to the end of the month opposite the Chaguanas Police Station.