Dear Editor,
I agree. (`Gov’t proposing man-slaughter charge for causing death while drunk driving’ -SN May 15 respectively). I agree and support. Slap the perp with such a charge.
Finally, I detect an amendment that comes from the mighty mind of the Hon. Attorney General seemingly untouched by political considerations. I tip my top hat to the AG: well done, sir. Now go ahead, solidify into law, and sock it to those who partook too liberally of Happy Hour, or however they experienced such a state of inebriation that they killed using a machine as a weapon. Vehicular homicide, or some legal sibling, has long been on the law books of the United States and, like us, the people there do enjoy a pint (or a gallon). We are overdue in having it here, and this is one speaking as a connoisseur of rare malts.
Editor, this is serious stuff, and I am all for the legal architecture I came across relative to circumstances, conditions, and associated penalties. I think that they send the right messages loudly and clearly. It is that the time for only a remorseful shake of the head and law enforcement discretion is over, in that there is now harsher legal terrain. My hope is that it will make imbibers think twice, as in long and hard, and be responsible. For too long drunk drivers in Guyana, almost exclusively men, have gotten away with murder, and a not unmeaningful pat on the cheek.
Though it is scant comfort to grieving mothers, wives, siblings, and others who had to live through the harrowing aftermaths, there will be some pole for those of the future to lean on in their time of loss and sorrow in such situations. Most regrettably, there will such mourners in the future because law penetrates only so far and so many.
Editor, I now wish to proceed on two different notes which should discontinue, or reduce significantly, one thing, but which could only take place, if there is another in place first. The first is that to give this proposed law teeth (and I don’t see how it can’t be, or who will stand against it in the sober house of the people), the Guyana Police Force must be equipped with reliable and functioning breathalyzers. A la Janet Jackson at a Super Bowl, there must not be any ‘malfunction’; and there must be no failure to employ it as a matter of routine. There must be an absence of suspicious efforts at giving the rich and famous a pass. For those who were foolish enough not to walk on what Guyanese call ‘one foot’, make them walk the line. No exceptions, and one foot or no foot.
Furthermore, in those terribly unfortunate instances where there is injury or death, the law and an effective monitoring and enforcement apparatus on the ground should nullify those always detested, backdoor out of court settlement arrangements. It is time that that also be minimized, if not eliminated, which was my second point. There can’t be two standards: one for self-identified and self-determined justice for the rich, and another for those can’t afford to pony up. Like I said, I am inspired that the Hon AG finally put his shining mind to work on something wholesome and wholly untainted by politics. Well, so far.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall
