Schoolchildren horrified by film of road deaths

Students from two primary schools and a private school screamed while watching graphic footage of deaths caused by road accidents at the opening of a Traffic Village at Woodford Square, mounted by the Police Traffic Division. The students, from Richmond Street Boys’, Scared Heart Girls’ and Nellie Bailey Private School and their teachers, were invited by the organisers of the Traffic Village to get a first-hand view of the mangled wreck of vehicles and listen to the addresses of the Police and Transport Commissioners. Shocked students put their hands over their mouths, some screamed, while others stood with their mouths open as the film showed graphic road deaths caused by errant motorists. After the film, it was obvious that the footage sent a clear signal to students that they needed to exercise more caution when crossing the roads, and to let their elders know they must not flout the traffic laws or drive when under the influence of alcohol.

Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Mobile, Nazamul Hosein, addressed the opening and called for the establishment of a national road safety committee to assist and advise on all aspects of road safety — from jogging, cycling, training and testing drivers, to infrastructure and motor engineering. Building more and more new roads, he said, is not the answer to our traffic problems and the emphasis should be on how to safely use the existing roads. “We have a duty as police officers responsible for traffic to teach our road users to become responsible, and we hope the relevant authorities will see it necessary to raise the standard of tuition offered by driving instructors, as well as improving the driving test.” Members of the public will get a chance to see the mangled wrecks of vehicles from accidents which claimed lives, as well as the viewing of footage of some graphic road deaths as a result of reckless driving. The theme of the one-week Traffic Village is “Our Roads: Safer for Everyone.” Up to yesterday, 121 persons had been killed in road deaths for the year.

For the months January to August, 118 road fatalities were recorded. Last year, the figure was 138 road deaths over the same period. ACP Hosein noted that Christmas and Carnival are approaching, and these periods usually record the highest death toll on our roads. He noted that the Traffic Village was mounted to convey the message that our roads must be safe for everyone, and it is hoped that young people develop the right attitude to road safety. Transport Commissioner Nathaniel Douglas, who also addressed the opening, said that road deaths rank second to AIDS as the leading cause of deaths worldwide. Douglas said that his office is extremely concerned over the reckless driving on the roads and over the poor quality of cars which are now being driven by over 400,000 holders of Trinidad and Tobago driving permits. The Transport Division has commissioned a study to find out how to properly manage the transport system in the country, he said, and to devise ways of easing the congestion on the roads. Three thousand six hundred and ninety-five persons have been charged with speeding for the year.