Let pockets of errant drivers feel it with fines

THE EDITOR: This was a horrific season for road safety. Between Carnival Sunday and Carnival Tuesday, six people died according to newspaper reports. And in many of these accidents, speed was reported as the main cause for the carnage.

Isaiah Lopez, a passenger, died when the vehicle in which he was travelling slammed into a utility pole along the Mayaro/Manzanilla Road.

On the Eastern Main Road in Curepe, Mark Hosan died when his vehicle crashed through the front wall of a residence and then ran into a railing, billboard, and a retaining wall. The vehicle subsequently caught fire. He died on the scene.

In Las Lomas, motorcyclist Kevin James died when his bike crashed into a light pole at Ramoo Trace on Carnival Monday.

In Penal, 17-year-old Shane Jattan died when a car in which he was a passenger went airborne and landed on its hood. Reports say his mother held onto him weeping and called out his name until undertakers took his body away.

As anyone can see, the threat of road traffic violence looms large, with males at the highest risk, according to statistics. That is why I commend the Ministry of Works and Transport for pushing the initiative for safer roads through new legislation that will bring in red light camera enforcement and a demerit points system.

As citizens we should enthusiastically embrace these changes that will help enforce our traffic laws because it is obvious many drivers do not respect the current system.

For those drivers who persistently disregard road rules, special action is needed to encourage their safer behaviour. This includes fines and, where possible, their removal from the roads. I believe, as an at-risk road user (which is, in essence, each of us), that if you have no respect for the current laws, then perhaps you will change your reckless behaviour under the new system when your pockets feel it through fines or when you face the promise of losing the privilege to drive altogether.

In many developed countries, demerit points systems have been proven effective both in encouraging drivers and passengers to adhere to the law, in terms of health outcomes after injury and ultimately contributing to road safety.

I am pleased to see that the ministry is leading us in this modern direction of road safety enforcement.

CARLA LOPEZ

Tunapuna