January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Teenagers aren't the only ones who speed: That's why we need greater police presence
The epidemic IS spreading.
On Friday, March 15, I attended the Road Safety Council meeting at Victor Scott School.
It was held to have families who have lost loved ones to traffic deaths or anyone who has been involved with a road accident to relate their tragic loss and to suggest ways to curb the totally unacceptable speeding on our roads to avoid more deaths.
My heart when out to those families who have suffered losses or permament injuries but what I didn't hear were any concrete ways to stop the speeding and reckless driving.
Speeding is not restricted to teenagers who believe they are bullet proof - it spans a range of drivers of all ages who take scooters and bikes into work each day.
What further concerned me was to learn that there are only three police officers assigned to road safety for the entire island.
That fact is disgraceful when you consider the total number of police officers on the island.
I would think that we should have at least two traffic safety officers per parish who were vigilant about stopping speeding, third lane and reckless driving, regardless of age.
The police need to show a presence during the high traffic hours on the high traffic roads on the island and give out tickets in earnest for driving poorly.
Don't announce that you are going to have a crackdown - just do it. The more drivers realize that they may get a ticket and be taken off the road, the more they will slow down. And keep the programme going until they get the message. The police need to be proactive. The fines need to fit the punishment. Make the fines higher, take away the bikes and cars until the fines are paid and make driving bans much longer. Take a bus or car pool. It will cut down on the traffic.
I heard a lot of eloquent talk about the epidemic that is growing in Bermuda about accidents and deaths, but until something is done (versus talking about the problem), the accidents will continue and the deaths will mount.
Actions speak louder than words.
George Colesworthy
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