Dear Editor,
My deepest condolences to the family and relatives of the twin brothers Ricardo and Renaldo Ram who lost their lives after being involved in an accident at Harlem on the West Coast Demerara on Tuesday. A short while back a letter was published in Stabroek News written by me about rice trailers without lights or reflectors being left on the public road for a long time near a rice factory during the period when rice is being reaped. I am not certain if the twin brothers crashed into one of these same trailers; everyone claimed the motorcycle was going at a dangerous speed and the case is closed. Had anyone paid heed to my letter, could these boys have been alive today?
Editor, recently I have observed the traffic ranks on the West Coast of Demerara administering breathalyzer tests during the day and at night, sometimes after 1am, and many passengers in the buses I travel in would express satisfaction. Sometimes they conduct the tests near popular drinking places and that is commendable. Because I travel a lot, I would pass many accidents that would not be reported or published because they are not serious, but with the police presence on the roadways, I’ve noticed a tremendous decline in accidents. I was all set to shower the Guyana Police Force and the Traffic Chief with praise, but I had to skid to a halt from doing that when I didn’t see any exercise for the past few days. I started to wonder if the recent exercises were just a ploy, or whether they are operating like what is commonly described here as ‘Christmas blow blow’? Why can’t they be consistent?
Finally Editor, at the Leonora Police station, vehicles going for fitness would undergo a series of tests before being certified, and minibuses seem to face the hardest inspections undergoing these tests. If the colour bar for the various zones doesn’t go all the way down to the bumper; if there are slogans on the buses, or the mag rims are out too far, etc, those things will have to be remedied before the bus is eligible for a certificate. What seems to escape the certifying officer’s eyes is more important and should be addressed immediately. In many buses, especially the older ones (corkball/rice-eaters), their seats are covered with what seems to be the thinnest sponge, thus commuters are uncomfortable when travelling. Many have worn out seat belts that only hang on by a few strings, while others don’t have buckle heads and when asked, the driver would simply tell you to just hold the belt. The safety belts are there for a purpose and commuters could get charged if they are found not wearing them; after all, what is the purpose of them if they are not usable? In addition, how come the bus passed examination with the belt in that condition, and why aren’t random inspections carried out whilst they are working?
As I said before, with the change of government, lots of lawlessness that used to occur will have to stop, and those who are there to enforce the law should either shape up or be shipped out.
Yours faithfully,
Sahadeo Bates
