The End Of ‘One For The Road’
The Christmas season is again upon us, when we go about our rituals of shopping, ‘putting away the house’ and doing what we Trinis do so well: ‘liming’. During this season, the familiar ‘take one for the road,’ is heard just as often as the strains of parang. Yet, taking one for the road can often lead to the road taking the lives of our citizens.
Despite the legislation introducing the breathalyser, restrictions on cell phone usage, and mandatory use of seatbelts and child car seats, the frequency of vehicular collisions and 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. According to the Association of Insurance Companies of Trinidad and Tobago, in 2010, the insured cost of vehicle collisions in Trinidad exceeded $25 million. However, the total economic impact of collisions also includes additional police resources to investigate and report collisions, the impact on an already overwhelmed health system and time lost by business operators. With our congested roadways, the traffic backlog when a major accident occurs impacts productivity on a national scale. But the biggest cost, which is unquantifiable, is that of the grief and suffering of victims, their families and friends.
Schools are out now, and teenagers home for the holidays, with some looking for a good lime. With our with level of non-compliance with alcohol laws at clubs and bars, some are able to drink, then 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 intoxicated patrons. Perhaps it is also time for the country to consider laws prohibiting the sale of alcohol to those under 21 years of age. We also urge the police to be more alert with breathalyser testing during this period.
Parents can follow some simple guidelines which may, in the long run, save lives:
- Maintain a no drinking policy. Charges under the breathalyser legislation have serious long term impact for a young driver
- No use of cell phones while driving – obey the law!
- No loud, distracting music
- Limit driving on major highways without an experienced driver in the car
- Limit driving at night. The chances of being involved in an accident sky-rockets at night for inexperienced drivers
- Lead by example.
In examining the major causes of accidents, careful consideration must also be paid to other factors which the Insurance Association identifies as helping to prevent road traffic accidents:
- Mandatory blood alcohol testing for all drivers involved in vehicular accidents
- 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
- Automation of the ticketing system
- Implementation of a “points” system as provided in the current legislation
Greater vigilance and more attentive driving are required if we wish to arrive at out destinations safely. Let us enjoy the spirit of the Christmas season as responsible, law abiding drivers.
To all of T&T, the Chamber says ‘thank you’ for your support. We extend best wishes for the Holiday Season and into 2013.
