Apply brakes on poor driving

There have been a number of events happening in Barbados lately that receive much commentary from the public. The current impasse between the Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Delisle Worrell, and the Minister of Finance, Chris Sinckler has raised a lot of discussion. Then there is a lot of talk, fuelled mostly by those in opposition, about the devaluation of the Barbados dollar.

Another riveting topic is the number of accidents on our roads – resulting in nine fatalities so far in just a short, few weeks – that has stunned many Barbadians. January started relatively quiet with few incidents reported, but to have matched or surpassed last year’s total number of fatal accidents by only February means we must put serious brakes on poor road habits, including those which are not fatal, but cause serious injuries to passengers.

While some have speculated whether the rise is due to the number of potholes or road repairs going on, it must be admitted that driver error and negligence are serious problems. Safety advocates have advanced tips on how to use defensive driving or practice safe road habits. However, it is clear from what can be seen on our roads that some drivers clearly lack patience and ability to control road rage.

What should happen is continuous sensitisation and public education campaigns that reinforce what dangerous driving habits are and the best course of action to take in most situations. In the past, there were some outside-the-box measures employed to relay that message. One local insurance company used a provocative advertising campaign that emphasised death as a result of accidents. Still very visible are white crosses that dot the island’s road signifying where a road fatality had occurred. Some years ago, the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation in association with the Royal Barbados Police Force offered a programme on television hosted by a police officer that used a miniature roadway and cars to demonstrate with visual aids practical tips on how to handle various situations. This could be brought back, updated with the new reality of our roads – how well trafficked they are, for example – along with pointing out the various dos and don’ts.

What can also be of assistance is for the Ministry of Transport and Works to take a look at where pedestrian crossings are placed on major roads. It is jarring to approach or exit a roundabout and then have to brake sharply to avoid cars or persons. In addition, there are a few popular roads that experience intermittent problems with flashing traffic lights. While that helps traffic flow easier, there is also a greater risk of accidents.

Another alternative is, as some have suggested in the past, for drivers to retake their examinations with the Ministry every few years to relearn safe habits and practices. It would certainly be very helpful to have those public service operators who operate recklessly retested regularly.

Ultimately, the person behind the wheel is responsible for the decisions made on the road. It is unfortunate that statistics and campaigns only last so long, therefore, we must use various techniques to ensure the public gets the message.

Barbados Advocate

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