Dear Editor,
It’s sad to see yet another careless action of a minibus driver could have almost cost the lives of over fifteen people on Saturday, September 26. I don’t know how much longer such reckless behaviour is going to continue on our roadways, or how many more lives have to be lost before stiffer penalties are imposed on these errant drivers, but I do pray it happens soon.
It’s wonderful to know that the drivers of a media house were travelling in another vehicle and were witnesses to the minibus driver’s driving, could have properly judged it for themselves and could relay what transpired to the media house exactly the way it happened. What is even more wonderful is to read that some passengers admitted to seeing the driver drinking, and they still chose to remain quiet and travel with the same bus, whilst from all indications the bus was carrying over the legal amount of passengers. I do hope they learn a valuable lesson, ie, that because of their choice to remain quiet and accept the unscrupulous service that was offered by the bus operator they could have lost their lives. It is a regular habit (drinking and driving with ‘overload’ and in a reckless manner) of lots of bus drivers and everyone chooses to accept and remain quiet. However, I see these passengers are now starting to talk.
Editor, although there are laws against drinking and driving, the police will jump and shout about the faults of the guilty parties when something serious or deadly happens. On weekdays lots of drivers could be seen drinking and driving, but it is from Fridays through the weekend when the drinking escalates. The drivers are not being hauled in front of the court, because when caught by the police, the case is tried on the spot and the driver pays the ‘fine’ right there. The only persons who go to court are those who refuse to bribe them or if there is some enmity between the officer and the victim.
When heavier penalties are imposed on the guilty parties, only then will the environment be safer for all of us.
Yours faithfully,
Sahadeo Bates
