Wanted: a road safety czar in Barbados.
In the wake of two more road deaths in Barbados, one of this country’s chief traffic cops is making an urgent call to Government to appoint a road safety czar who could embark on an international-style road safety campaign.
Inspector Leon Blades, administrator of the Royal Barbados Police Force’s Traffic Division, made the call yesterday after the death on Tuesday of 17-year-old Rossi Straughn, who was aboard an open-back truck when it collided with another large vehicle along St Luke’s Road in St George. Ervine Barker, driver of the same vehicle, also succumbed to his injuries yesterday at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
“People still aren’t taking road safety serious enough,” Blades told the DAILY NATION in an exclusive interview yesterday.
“Parents aren’t taking it serious enough. Drivers aren’t taking it serious enough, and even employers aren’t taking it serious enough,” Blades said.
The former traffic cop and patrolman noted that a road safety czar should be in place, and should be someone Barbadians had a social connection with.
“They may not always want to listen to the police, but if someone is found that could go on television and radio and talk to our drivers, it would make a world of difference.”
Blades said the police would also be willing to meet with Government departments such as the Barbados Water Authority, National Conservation Commission, Ministry of Transport and Works, and the National Petroleum Corporation, departments which used open-back vehicles and sometimes transported employees on them.
Blades said that contrary to popular belief, it was illegal for drivers to carry such passengers on the back of such vehicles, according to Section 31/21 B of the Road Traffic Act.
“It’s not as prevalent as it was a few years ago, but it seems to be popping back up again. It is against the law, but the police can’t be everywhere to enforce the law,” Blades noted.
He said it was time that employers became more vigilant and responsible by banning their drivers from giving people “drops” anywhere on open-back vehicles.
“If employers start taking it seriously and continue to implore their drivers not to do this, then it could save lives. One life saved may seem small, but it’s a life saved for a family.”
Blades also said parents should become a strong part of the road safety education process, since numerous students could also be seen riding dangerously.
“I’m sure these parents know how dangerous a practice this is. Parents in Barbados need to drill it in the heads of their children not to get on these trucks, and just how dangerous it can be.”
He concluded that Government departments which had to transport workers and currently do so in open-back vehicles, should consider purchasing one fully enclosed vehicle with a protected cabin to transport workers, and use open vehicles only for moving equipment.
