More serious measures to stop road carnage

THE EDITOR: The group Citizens For A Better Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT) is willing to work with the government and other organisations to get the breathalyser introduced as soon as possible because too many accidents are alcohol related.

The present government has an opportunity to introduce the breathalyser, which all previous governments, for some strange reason, have so far failed to do. CBTT hopes that the government will stick to its promise to implement the breathalyser before the end of the year. Some people will oppose the breathalyser for a number of reasons but the government must do what is in the best interest of the nation. Talk alone is cheap and will do nothing to prevent the carnage on the nation’s roadways. We must, therefore, do all in our power to discourage dangerous driving; otherwise many more citizens will die or become seriously injured on our roadways. What is urgently needed is stiffer penalties for motorists who disobey the traffic laws. There are too many reckless drivers who show total disregard for pedestrians and other motorists.

The time has come for us to introduce cameras near traffic lights so that heavy fines can be given to those who ignore the red light and other traffic laws. An improved radar system is also urgently needed to assist the police in arresting those who drive above the speed limit. CBTT laments the failure of the police to prevent the vast majority of motorists from speeding. Too many of them break the law by exceeding the speed limit on our roadways, yet few are caught. It’s time we get serious about preventing lives and limbs on the roads because the carnage is getting way out of hand.

HARRACK BALRAMSINGH
President, CBTT
La Romaine