Dear Editor,
Last Sunday evening a lengthy list was created and posted on social media on the vehicle numbers, names of drivers and their speeds that were above the legal limit. If the said list is biased, what does it hope to accomplish when the names of government officials who literally fly through daily traffic that would render anyone in their path incapable of avoiding a collision are not included?
Where are the names of policemen and their vehicle numbers who turn on their sirens and recklessly speed way beyond the same legal limits during rush hour traffic just because they think they can? Where are the plate numbers of minibuses that are owned by the Police Officers that terrorize the ordinary road users everyday with their speed and reckless driving?
In the home, parents set example to children, in schools the administrators and teachers set example to children, and in a country, it is expected that the lawmen and leaders set example to the citizens. Unfortunately, in Guyana neither the lawmen nor leaders set example. The example they set is akin to saying, “do as I say and not as I do”.
When the keepers of law and order jump the traffic lights, weave frantically between traffic, and on almost all occasions not on official business, and simply disregard the same law that they want ordinary citizens to obey what example are they setting? Government officials, with blaring sirens, push civilians out of their way just because they are either late to take their children to school, or to the airport, or just to get home. Is their time more valuable than the people they are supposed to serve and protect?
One of the main contributors to the increasing deaths on our roadways is driving under the influence of alcohol. These drivers under the influence maniacally covert their vehicles into killing machines, and obviously not much is being done about it. Drivers found under this condition should have their licences permanently disqualified and vehicles seized. Bar owners found selling alcohol to anyone who is driving and being above the legal limit should have their licences suspended.
Editor, instead of publishing names, the authorities should use the time and effort to make drastic changes. Set fines to such high levels and make draconian changes to the law that delinquent drivers will be less inclined to speed and drive under the influence of alcohol.
Yours sincerely,
Ash Sen
