None For The Road

The Christmas season is again upon us and it is the time of the year when many of us go about our annual rituals of shopping, ‘putting away the house’ and doing what we Trinis do so well – ‘liming’.  As many of us move from house to house during the season, the familiar invitation to ‘take one for the road’ is heard just as often as the strains of parang.

However taking one for the road particularly between Christmas and our other favourite season Carnival, leads, more often than not, to the road taking the lives of our citizens.

While we applaud legislation that introduced the breathalyser, restrictions on cell phone usage, mandatory use of seatbelts and car seats for children, the frequency of road collisions and worse, fatalities, is still alarming.  The nation continues to grieve at the unnecessary loss of lives and destruction of families through reckless and impaired drivers.

The economic consequences of road collisions are also alarming.  In 2010, according the Association of Trinidad and Tobago Insurance Companies (ATTIC), the insured cost of vehicle collisions in Trinidad exceeded $25 million.  But this figure only reflects bodily injury claims and some of the property damage claims made on motor insurers; when claims from life and health insurance policies are factored in, the cost may well be closer to $30 million.

That $30 million is just the cost to insurers. The total economic impact of motor vehicle collisions also includes additional police resources dedicated to investigating and reporting collisions, the impact on an already overwhelmed health system and time lost by business operators. In a country where the roadways are already congested, the traffic backlog when a major accident occurs, impacts productivity on a national scale.  But by far, the biggest loss, and the one we can never quantify, is the cost of the grief and suffering experienced victims, their families and friends. Whatever that cost might be, it is way too high.

Schools are now out, and teenagers home for the holidays, with some of the older ones looking for a good lime.   With our very lax alcohol laws at clubs and bars, many minors are able to drink, then leave these establishments and get behind the wheel or into the car with a friend who is similarly intoxicated.

We urge bars and clubs to be responsible and restrict the sale of alcohol to minors and also inebriated patrons. Having patrons take a breathalyser test before they leave can also play a role in reducing the number of traffic collisions.

We also urge parents to follow these simple guidelines, which may, in the long run save their children’s lives:

• Maintain a no drinking policy with your children. Charges under the new breathalyser legislation have a particularly serious long term impact for a young driver.
• Emphasise to them that there must be no speaking on cell phones or texting while driving, as this is against the law.
• Disallow loud music in order to minimise distractions.
• Limit the number of passengers in the car.  The more passengers the greater the potential for distraction.
• Limit them from driving on major highways without an experienced driver.
• Limit driving at night. The chances of being involved in an accident sky-rockets at night for new and young drivers.
• Maintain a zero tolerance approach for breaking the rules. Parents should impose consequences for their young drivers for any violations of the rules.
• Most importantly, lead by example.

It is also important to advise insurers about any young (under 25) or inexperienced drivers who may use your vehicle.

In examining major causes of accidents, the authorities must also pay close attention to factors which have been repeatedly identified by organisations such as ATTIC and the Chamber as being of importance in the possible prevention of road traffic accidents. These are:

• Mandatory blood alcohol level testing for all drivers involved in fatal accidents, or accidents involving bodily injury or accidents where a vehicle is damaged beyond repair.
• The erection of proper barriers between multi-lane highways.
• Enforcement of inspections for private vehicles five years and over.
• Permanent display of insurance certificates for taxis, for public knowledge.
• Automation of the ticketing system.
• The implementation  of the “points” system as already provided in the current legislation

The Chamber appeals to all citizens to assume greater responsibility for their own driving practices, as well as those of their friends, family and hired transport.  The quality of driving, number of cars and attitude of drivers are far different than a decade ago.  Greater vigilance and more attentive driving are required if we wish to arrive at our destinations safely.  We encourage citizens who do decide to drink, to assign a designated driver or hire a taxi service.  It is far less expensive or inconvenient than the price of death or injury.  Additionally, we also want to encourage persons to ensure that visitors to their homes are not intoxicated when they leave.

The Chamber takes this opportunity to extend our best wishes to our loyal readers, and indeed, all of Trinidad and Tobago for the holiday season and into the New Year.  We thank you for your support over the years.  Let us enjoy the spirit of the season as responsible, law abiding citizens.