EDITORIAL - Stop the recklessness on our roads

What will it take to get reckless drivers off this country’s roads? Unfortunately, the solution to this problem still eludes the authorities, just as the drivers themselves seem to elude the long arm of the law.

 

Recent footage making the rounds on social media, and which was also carried on CBC TV 8, brings this issue of reckless driving to the fore once again. The incident took place on a section of the ABC highway between the driver of a car and several motorcyclists, of which the latter were seen to be skylarking and speeding as they wove between traffic. In the video, one cyclist was unseated and fell and, though it was not clear if the driver of the car caused this action, he/she was subsequently chased by the other motorcyclists, and the car was surrounded at one point. There was also footage of a car speeding and fishtailing out of its lane.

 

Though this occurrence is shocking for the clarity and perspective given in the footage, it is not surprising. For years, this type of lawless street grandstanding has gone on, especially at nights and even more so on Sundays. There are very few people who are not aware of the antics of these motorists and many in fact actively seek to avoid these areas.

 

Furthermore, this paper is on record not only calling for this practice to be nipped in the bud, but also urging business owners to dissuade loitering on their premises. Case in point: it is not uncommon to find droves of individuals lining the front of a service station on the weekend, buzzing around vehicles, or even sitting nearby relaxing in pullout chairs. While some may find nothing sinister about liming, there is an old adage that has been proven throughout time; one that still holds true in this case – “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop”. And since drivers usually congregate at these locations at the start and end of their daredevil displays, it should be easy to pinpoint exactly who is responsible for reckless driving.

 

One therefore wonders why nothing is being done to clamp down on these highway hot-wheelers before lives are lost senselessly. We urge the owners of gas service stations to beef up security and implement a strict “no loitering” policy, since the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) should be given any assistance possible as they seek to ensure the safety of our roads. We empathise with the Force as it carries the heavy burden of ensuring the safety of every citizen in this country. Plagued as it is with limited manpower, especially as it ramps up efforts to crack down on the illegal drug activity in particular districts, the RBPF should not have to deal with the antics of a ridiculous few, who have taken the step from being idle to lawless. 

 

We also call on families who know that a loved one may be involved in this type of reckless behaviour to speak up now to convince them to stop their actions before it is too late. You may be saving their lives or the lives of someone else. The recent incident resulted in a mere fall, but a more serious accident could have occurred and innocent people could have been injured as well. This would have devastated families and friends, but would also have put more pressure on an already burdened accident and emergency service, blood supply unit, healthcare personnel, and insurance corporations, which could all impact innocent Barbadians’ lives and livelihoods. 

 

We look forward to seeing an improvement in the present situation in the near future and urge those involved to clean up their acts and do the right thing.