More goodwill on the road

The introduction of speed guns earlier this year resulted in anecdotal evidence suggesting motorists have become more compliant with speed limits.

However, whatever impact the lidar guns have had has been limited to areas where the guns are frequently deployed.

Many drivers still observe fellow drivers speeding, driving on the shoulder and taking risks at night, whether or not a highway patrol vehicle is in sight.

In San Fernando, for example, people are still taking chances, constantly breaking red lights.

Then there are those who believe the indicator light gives them the right of way and put other drivers in danger.

In the wake of the tragic accident in Arima on Monday night, there were reports that one of the vehicles involved broke a red light. Drivers clearly underestimate the damage one single, seemingly slender breach can have.

Arima’s accident has already claimed half a dozen lives and seriously injured even more.

We are all busy in the hustle and bustle to prepare our homes, buy gifts, attend Christmas events. A similar frenzy will soon also be upon us in relation to preparations for Carnival.

Yet, what use are these festivities when people show no care for one another? Being considerate and safe is something that should happen all year. But at Christmas time it should particularly be so. No family wants to wake on Christmas morning without a loved one.

We take this opportunity to express our condolences to all the victims of Monday night’s awful accident. We call on people to show more care for one another, to remember that the priority should be remaining alive, not trying to get from here to there in the shortest possible time.

According to acting Assistant Superintendent of Police Harnarine Rampath of Traffic and Highway Patrol Branch, 124 people have died in road traffic accidents so far this year as compared to 138 for the same period in 2015.

Although the figure represents a ten percent reduction, he noted that road fatalities are unacceptably high.

“We continue to appeal to drivers and road users to practise safe responsible road use by firstly obeying the laws governing the roads and this should be regardless of the police being present, and secondly always be safe, alert and defensive in your approach to driving,” Rampath said on Wednesday.

The officer warned that the Traffic and Highway Patrol Branch has commenced its traffic law enforcement plan for the Christmas to Carnival period.

Any breach of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, as well as the Highways and Motor Vehicle Insurance Act, will be dealt with.

The Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Task Force and speed teams will be out in full force and have been given a mandate of zero tolerance; and a special roving operational unit working with officers from the Licensing Division will be conducting vehicle checks across the nation’s roadways with a special focus on large trucks and trailer units.

Drivers are advised to have driving documents in order including valid driver’s permit, valid vehicle insurance and, where applicable, ensure their vehicle has been inspected.

We remind parents and adults that children under five years must be secured in child safety seats and that it is an offence not to have children safely secured.

But it should not take threats of implementation of the law to make people act with consideration.

That requires all drivers to look into their own hearts and to act accordingly. Let goodwill prevail.