Dear Editor,
It is appalling that the relevant authorities are condoning the muddy condition with which rice farmers between Greenwich Park and Vergenoegen in Region Three have been leaving the public road. These rice farmers are driving their tractors with the wheels loaded with wet mud. As the tractor drive along wet mud is catapulted all over the road. Thousands of people are being affected by these uncaring and unconcerned rice farmers. It appears as if the tractor drivers got their licenses by ‘hook or crook’. I say this because their use of the roads does not show they have any knowledge of the 5 Cs taught by the police at driving classes. Care, concern, common sense, courtesy and consideration for other road users seems to be completely absent from their memory.
Firstly, when the road is left in a muddy state and it rains, other vehicles are splattered with mud. This gives hundreds of vehicle owners’ added work to clean their vehicles or add to their expenses by having to visit the wash bay. What is worse, pedestrians and cyclists have to face this onslaught of wet mud totally unguarded. Just imagine a neatly dressed school child or office worker coming out to use the wet muddy road on a rainy day. On one of these days, persons waiting on transportation can be seen standing in the grass instead at the edges of the road because of the mud left on the road. This bullying by rice farmers cannot continue. Secondly, a wet, muddy road significantly reduces the effectiveness of brakes on vehicles. This is because wet mud forms a slippery film between the road and tires. As a result, the probability of accidents increases notably.
Thirdly, when the mud on the road dries it transforms into dust making its way into nearby houses forcing home owners and housewives to do extra work to keep their homes clean. Moreover, they are compelled to lock up in their houses to avoid the dust. Additionally, persons with respiratory problems are at greater risk of being hospitalised due to the dust pollution. It’s is unfortunate that a few rice farmers are allowed to affect thousands of people in this manner. I’m suggesting that these few rice farmers wash the mud off their machinery before driving unto the public road.
Furthermore, I’m recommending that the traffic police monitor the use of the road by the rice farmers to ensure that the carriage way is a clean and safe space for other road users and residents. No one should have to endure the stress caused by these insensitive rice farmers. I hope that the relevant authorities will attend to this matter immediately.
Sincerely,
B. Persaud
