Wee Care Nursery students along with Barbados Road Safety Association President, Sharmaine Roland-Bowen, and Public Relations Officer, Richard Cox, with the message of drivers showing due care and attention on this island’s roads. The students enjoyed a visit from the association yesterday.
BRSA hopeful fatalities remain low in 2016
Tue, 08/09/2016 - 12:00am
COMING out of the Crop Over season with many collisions but no fatalities, President of the Barbados Road Safety Association (BRSA) Sharmaine Roland-Bowen is cautiously optimistic that 2016 will record less fatalities than the 21 recorded in 2014, which was the lowest in decades.
The president, noting that seven fatalities have been recorded so far for the year, is hopeful that Barbados can remain in single digits, but believes to accomplish this breathalyser testing must be introduced with alacrity.
“I am also issuing a call for the powers that be namely the Ministry of Transport, the Minister Michael Lashley, we are still begging... I don’t mind begging, we want this breathalyser.
“It is beginning to look like most persons out there are only going to see the importance of legislation governing alcohol and distracted driving when someone close to them gets into a serious collision and fatalities can happen when persons are distracted. We are about preventing collisions, preventing fatalities and these are things that can prevent collisions and pain and suffering.”
She said the introduction of breathalyser testing would be fitting as the country approaches its 50th anniversary of Independence. “Never mind the minority that doesn’t want the breathalyser; some people don’t want it, but these are the irresponsible ones, the ones that feel it can’t happen to them, that their vehicle can get them home safe, until that inevitable day comes that something happens to them. But for the rest of us, there are more of us that want it than those who don’t want it,” she said.
“Do something for us. Protect us. Let us feel safe on our roads. Do something that will enhance our safety and something that is tangible that will last beyond 2016,” she pleaded, noting that there were 23 road fatalities in 2015.
The president also made a call for improved lighting on sections of the highway and for the jersey barriers to be made more visible through signage or markings, to add greater protection for motorists.
She cautioned that visibility will be significantly reduced with heavy rainfall during the rainy season. (JH)