OUTSIDE THE PULPIT: Road users must be more vigilant

Therefore I tell you do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be and anxious for itself; let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day. – Matthew 6: 25-34

THE YEAR is just two months and a few days old and we have had 12 fatalities, two more than the whole of 2016.

What has gone wrong with our drivers and pedestrians? Accidents do not happen by themselves; they happen as a result of carelessness on someone’s part, such as in distracted driving while using a cellphone or some other activity.

I am convinced that too many of our drivers are driving without due care and attention.

The police cannot be everywhere at the same time, but what are they doing about the speeding and carelessness on our roads? People are doing as they please, running red lights and going through no entry signs without a care in the world.

This is not an attack on the members of the Royal Barbados Police Force. Far from it, as I am a great supporter of the force. But I do not see traffic officers patrolling our roads. What has gone wrong?

I can still remember yesteryear when Sergeant Oscar Clarke, Michael Blunt, Franklyn (FAB) Lewis, and Cyrus kept motorists in order. We need more police officers like those great men.

I am also convinced that too many people are refusing to observe the basics when it comes to road traffic regulations. When I was a boy at school, I was taught this basic lesson: “Do not cross the road behind or in front a stationary vehicle.” Also before crossing you should look right, then left and then right again before crossing.

Too many pedestrians are taking too many chances when crossing. Be careful on the roads when crossing, because you can never estimate the speed at which any vehicle is travelling.

Deaths on the road create a great amount of stress on close family and other relatives.

Come on, please let all of us make an effort and avoid any more fatal accidents. It can be done if we cooperate. This column expresses its deepest sympathy to the family of Anderson Joseph, who died on Sunday night, and also wishes his son a speedy recovery.

Revival service

The annual revival services of Fulnec Moravian Church, Watts Village, St George, will continue tonight at 7:15 p.m. under the theme Worship His Majesty. The Rev. Dr Adrian Smith, pastor of the Calvary and Grace hill Moravian congregations, will be the preacher.

T20 cricket

The Moravian Church’s Rev. Rudolph Holder Memorial Shield Tape Ball T20 Cricket Competition continues tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the James Bryan Complex, Market Hill, St George, with Calvary Moravian playing Cox Road New Testament.

Grace hill harvest

The annual harvest festival of the Grace hill Moravian Church in Spooner’s Hill, St Michael, takes place on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.

Clergy forum

The first clergy forum of the Anglican church for this year will be held on Thursday, March 30, at St Leonard’s Church at 10 a.m. The facilitator will be the Rev. Mark Harewood, rector of St Barnabas.

Congratulations

Congratulations are in order for my mother-in-law, Felicia Lena Carter, who will be celebrating her 100th birthday on Monday.

Felicia Carter, of Haggatt Hall Main Road, St Michael, is the mother of Yvonne Sisnett, Denise (Den Den) Massiah, Terrance, Malcolm, Maureen Carter and the late Marva Carter, and the mother-in-law also of Desmond Sisnett. Have an enjoyable and happy birthday.