‘Deaths on the road avoidable’

Sharmaine Roland-Bowen. (FP)

Sat, January 05, 2013 - 12:08 AM

Barbados recorded the highest number of road deaths in the last five years in 2012, and the Barbados Road Safety Association (BRSA) is urging the police to show no mercy to those who break the road traffic laws.

Reflecting on the 28 deaths and the hundreds who were injured in road accidents last year, BRSA president Sharmane Roland-Bowen said in her New Year’s message that the majority of road deaths and injuries were avoidable.

“We must clamp down on those who break the road traffic laws. Police presence on our roads must be more visible to assist in the deterrence of traffic violations and other dangerous practices.

“Our police officers must show no mercy to those persons caught breaking our traffic rules and engaging in antisocial behaviours such as racing and performing stunts on our highways.

“Our judicial system also needs to send a strong message to persons who cause death by dangerous or reckless driving by sentencing offenders to a prison term instead of fining them,” Roland-Bowen noted. (YB)

Please read the full story in today’s SATURDAY SUN, or in the eNATION edition.

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Posted by Sol Fish 4 months, 2 weeks ago: I'm in total agreement, not only imprisonment, but also impound their vehicles also, the roads were created to facilitate a safe environment for travel from point A to point B safely, not for recklessly driving or stunts, if you want to race, go to bushy park, join the rally club, if you want to do stunts, join the circus, anyone caught should have their vehicle taken from them, for in the end they are placing their lives, and others in danger with their nonsense, its time we make our roads safe for everyone to travel, to wherever you final destination may be, and not the end of your life, at the end of the road.

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Posted by Bim Bum 4 months, 2 weeks ago: On a whole different slant...

we could also encourage our drivers
to *pay attention* to what they're doing...

to be mindful of the fact that what they do affects others (there are other people on MY road??).

Turn off the distracting music and get smart, OK?

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Posted by Olutoye WALROND 4 months, 2 weeks ago: Is anyone surprised at the high incidence of mortality and injuries on our roads. It seems to me we have some of the most deranged drivers in the world. Just look at the speed with which we drive on such narrow, winding roads. Everybody is in a big hurry, and unfortunately some of them simply don't make it.

I have to agree with Ms. Bowen about the need for a greater Police presence on the roads. Barbados' streets must be the most unpoliced in the world.
P.S.V's drive at snail speed causing a backup of traffic, and there's no Police in sight; they park at the Sheraton bus stop, again backing up traffic, and there's no police in sight; motor-cyclists cavort up and down on one wheel and there's no Police in sight.

The march towards anarchy in this country is making steady progress.

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Posted by Kenneth King 4 months, 2 weeks ago: The law as mentioned should be able to send a stronger message to those breaking it yearly. I am not for the compounding of vehicles because I do not know of this law in other lands but those responsible when given a jail term and a ban from owning a drivers license ever again will be a start. Many seems not to understand the responsibility when given a license to travel on public roads in this country, therefore more education should be taught when applying and a blood test for either drugs detection or Alcohol. Sounds a bit tough but we are losing to many lives each year on our roads. In Germany and Holland and other parts of Europe are sometimes hidden Radar cameras in park Vehicles and other means to find those breaking the law; the fines are very strict as you become points that can lead to either a fine, having to do the drivers test all over again or a Ban from one month to three years or losing it all together. Whatever it takes to bring safety to our roads as this trend of deaths are not to be repeated in 2013.

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Posted by Monica Wilkinson 4 months, 2 weeks ago: I think the time has come for cameras to be positioned at certain Roads/Junctions and those caught speeding and driving dangerously should be banned or served with heavy fines. Refuse to pay the fine and your vehicle would be impounded. As for the Transport Board buses, I am surprised that there are not more accidents involving them. God help the passengers if the driver is in a bad mood. It is gonna be one crazy ride- hold on tight hear.
I am not leaving out the female drivers either.

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Posted by Leonard B 4 months, 2 weeks ago: I frequently visit Toronto and I am beginning to warm to some of the measures I first thought were overly harsh on drivers. Street racing has been almost eliminated by the introduction of tough fines and the impounding of vehicles when a speed limit is exceeded by a certain amount. A tow truck picks up the car and the errant driver makes his/her way home, suspended license in hand. Using a cell phone or similar electronic device will cost you $155 to $500, no questions asked. Etc, etc, etc. Life has changed there and apparently drivers are learning very fast. We need some of these deterrents here. LB.