Overhaul Road Traffic Act

Media reports on activities on the roads, as well as my own experiences, have led me to the conclusion of a need for urgency in dealing with improvements to road-safety legislation.

Road rampage must be frightening for parents sending off their children to school using the various forms of transportation available to them, and adults who have to travel to work and other destinations, especially those using the public transport system.

The report, a few weeks ago, of a chase involving the police and a bus driver on the Washington Boulevard ought to send shivers down commuters' spines. In fact, it had a personal effect on me, as a friend who was a victim related the event to me.

I have been very disturbed about this situation for some time, and recent developments have led me to express my resentment, and to make some critical comments and recommendations which, I hope, will stir debate and force the hand of those in charge to move quickly to address the situation.

Even while we focus on violence, we cannot ignore that our roads, too, have become offensive and a serious threat to peace and security, which requires drastic action to bring it under control.

There are many reasons for the current situation. We need, for example, to keep the roads repaired to avoid some of the awkwardness. But even poor road conditions have not discouraged the carelessness, recklessness and irresponsibility.

People drive with no regard for pedestrian crossings and other road signs, show little respect for traffic lights, refuse to use their indicators and don't even have them working sometimes, stop and pick up passengers anywhere, use their cellular phones, and watch DVDs without consideration for others.

Traffic injuries are very serious health issues. Each year, we count at least 300 deaths on the roads, and it is costing the public-health system more than $1.6 billion annually. More than half of those killed in accidents are aged 15-44. These are our future breadwinners. And, when we consider that the majority of these accidents can be avoided, it should make us wonder what is happening.

We need to reduce the carnage on the roads to have any chance of achieving the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), create social harmony, produce a brighter and healthier next generation, or even meet our international financial obligations.

50 per cent decrease target

The UN Decade of Action for Road Safety requires that nations reduce road fatalities by 50 per cent between 2011 and 2020. We have already launched a programme to share in the event. We have committed ourselves to rewriting the Road Traffic Act and improving the policies and frameworks to make our roads safer. Our problem is that while we recognise the problems, we do not seem to be in a hurry to implement the remedies.

It is crucial that Parliament, after the summer recess, work swiftly to draft new legislation to replace the existing one.

We understand that the bill will look at a number of issues, including regulating the use of cellphones, safety standards such as quality of tyres, and retesting drivers over 65. But, there are a number of other issues which must be addressed in that bill.

For example, I have been advocating random tests of drivers in the public-transport system for the use of drugs, because I have seen evidence of widescale usage and I am concerned about the danger to passengers and other road users. I am sure there are others who want to make an input as well. So let us have the bill tabled as quickly as possible.

Finally, let me commend Senior Superintendent of Police Radcliffe Lewis, head of the Traffic Division, for the fine hands-on job he has been doing in that capacity. He is a good example of how a senior officer should behave and I hope that he continues that trend, because whatever changes we make to the Road Traffic Act will have to make his job much easier.

Derrick Smith is MP for North West St Andrew. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and derrickcsmith@yahoo.com.