Today I am making a desperate plea to new works minister Surujrattan Rambachan on behalf of the relatives of the 79 road fatalities that have occurred so far this year on the nation's roads.
Mr Rambachan, this heartfelt action is being taken also for the survivors of those who may yet be killed as that breed of unconscionable, reckless and don't-give-a-damn-attitude motorists continues to reap death and destruction oblivious to the pain, grief and suffering they inflict on the victims' loved ones.
The sad thing is that just like the gun-toting bandits who are sowing their deadly and almost daily harvest of dead bodies, many of them innocently taken out, these killers behind the steering wheels have turned our road network into virtual death traps.Mr Rambachan, I am sure that you being a father just like any other daddy, especially those who have lost children to these purveyors of lifelong heartaches, must be concerned about the wanton and senseless killings as a result of road collisions.
I am sure you have heard the exasperating expression repeated any time one of these fatalities occur: "If they (motorists) want to kill themselves let them do so, but why take innocent people with them?"
Endless road safety campaigns have been launched in this country over the years, attempting to educate the citizenry about the dangers of drunk driving and other dangerous practices on our roads. The latest one was recently launched by your cabinet colleague, MP for Fyzabad, Transport Minister Chandresh Sharma. But so far to no avail, as the habits and practices are being carried out with any let-up in sight.
And do you know why, Mr Minister?It is not that Trinis are basically indisciplined people. Far from that.The answer is pretty simple, as everyone ought to know–our laws as they relate to road safety or traffic regulations, in this particular instance, are not being enforced by the authorities.If we cannot do so as a matter of course we should do like some African states where I read and saw policemen whipping motorists on the spot when they were caught breaking traffic regulations.
To be rather blunt, I like that immediate dispensing of punishment as this depressing situation needs drastic curative action. Those of us who endeavour to observe these guidelines are very often looked upon as being strange and when you decide to do the right thing some moron would put down some good cussing on you even if you are with your family.Even though you would not find too much of this despicable conduct by women drivers, don't be shocked to discover that some of them are worse than their male counterparts.
I have been victim of proper cuss-outs on two occasions by women motorists who cleverly did so, pulling alongside my vehicle and by the time they had washed their mouths on me they sped off.So shocked was I, being taken by surprise by this very unbecoming behaviour by women, that it was impossible to reply or follow them to vent by abhorrence of that type of conduct.Anyway, that is a bit on the lighter side and nothing like losing a life in a road collision.
Getting back to dealing with death-for-hire motorists–Dr Rambachan, I am almost sure–not almost, I am sure–you must be aware of one measure that has been spoken about years ago and which keeps popping up perennially but with no positive action being taken on this initiative, which I think would be a major contributor to the reduction in the spiralling number of road fatalities.I am speaking about the much-talked-about points system, which for some unknown reason has dropped off the national radar for quite some years now.
Why was it put into limbo and by whom I don't know, but I want Dr Rambachan to inform the nation why this simple but effective measure was not or has not been implemented as yet.And more importantly, Dr Rambachan, I am begging you on behalf of us good citizens to please resurrect this proposal, which I am certain is hibernating in some government department, most likely your ministry or perhaps the Licensing Division.
Dr Rambachan, please move with the required speed and have this system put on our statute books, as it is long overdue. Basically, the system punishes errant motorists by awarding them a number of points for certain infractions and depending on the number of court-proven infractions a motorist will lose his driving permit for fixed periods, nothing less than three years in the first instance.Eventually, depending on the number of points chalked up, a motorist will lose his driver's permit permanently.
Dr Rambachan, you, and by extension the Cabinet, have a tremendous responsibility to ensure that a most significant and far-reaching measure is implemented to help save the lives of hundreds of fellow citizens, not to mention the resulting trauma to even more affected family.
Politicians do not usually bother to listen to advice given by us humble scribes but trust me, Dr Rambachan, citizens are watching to see if the PP's mantra of serving the people would be demonstrated through this simple but, as I said, significant move.