NOVEMBER IS BEING observed as Road Safety Month, and it has been a relatively low-keyed celebration, which belies the importance of the issue.
To the casual observer, it would appear that road safety is not a front-burner matter for us in Barbados, and indeed it captures national attention only if there is a fatality, but even then we soon move on to a different matter of the moment.
But in reality road safety must be high on our national agenda, because we have too much at stake – lost lives, severely injured people, a drop in productivity and a deflection of valuable police time and manpower.
We are in most respects a conservative and relatively risk-averse country, but the behaviour displayed on our roads by some motorists would suggest that we are risk-lovers. The latter is particularly true of the drivers of ZR vans and minibuses, who are now unfortunately joined by some drivers of private vehicles in displays of similar unacceptable behaviour.
We have talked incessantly about the unruly behaviour of some drivers of our public service vehicles.
However, despite the outcry and regardless of who speaks, the situation seems to get worse rather than better.
The total disrespect for law and order or even for public safety is seen daily in areas such as Collymore Rock and Wanstead, as well as many other districts across the island where these public service vehicles operate.
It seems as if these drivers harbour the dangerous belief that rules and regulations should apply to all others on our roads but hardly ever to them. They seem to see other motorists as competitors and obstacles.
We recognize that there is tremendous pressure on the ZR and minibus drivers to make as many trips as possible every day – the more revenue, the better for the owner and also for the drivers.
Yes, passengers are in a rush and contribute to some of the lawlessness, but for many owners there is clearly no social conscience. It is all about the almighty dollar. Hence the playing of loud and at times offensive music, the overloading, driving way beyond the speed limit, some vehicles emitting smog and damaging the environment, and the deliberate blocking of the free flow of other vehicles have all become daily occurrences.
We need to stop making excuses for this unacceptable behaviour.
We need to crack down on unacceptable practices on our roads, be it a motorist running the red lights, the motorcyclist with his daredevil stunts or the ZR driver climbing the sidewalks or boring in from a side road.
Ensuring safety is a pressing issue. Pedestrians must use the crosswalks and at nights make themselves visible; both bicyclists and motorcyclists must ride predictably and obey the same traffic signals and signs as motorists.
Motorists must share the road and be attentive to walkers, joggers and cyclists. It is important for everyone to follow the rules, regardless of the mode of transportation. We have to address the issue of road safety by being pragmatic and showing foresight.