I am very concerned about the spate of preventable accidents and carnage which occur on our roads daily, due mainly to a bunch of careless, dangerous and self-centred 'drivers' on our roads, who seem to believe they have a licence to kill.
To make matters worse, there seems to be many corrupt traffic cops who are prepared to let off the hook, a driver who commits a dangerous traffic offence for a bribe, so that driver continues his bad driving habits which is common place among minibus, legal and robot taxi drivers. These drivers' hustling ability is part of their business, regardless of the consequence.
What is needed is a yearlong intensive road safety education programme, promoted by the National Road Safety Council, in association with our life insurance and motor vehicle insurance companies; print and broadcast media including outdoor advertising agencies (through billboards); and the Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association.
Here are some suggestions:
A space should be provided on every billboard, throughout the country, for a road-safety slogan.
Life insurance and motor vehicle insurance companies should include a road safety message in all their ads.
JGRA members should share the cost of producing bumper stickers and flyers for their customers.
Radio and television interviews should be made available to interested family members and relatives of person or persons who were involved in accidents resulting in injury or fatality, which would highlight the traumatic experience such persons go through.
Here are some slogans which could be adopted:
1. Drive for life ... not for the undertaker
2. Take heed - check your speed
3. Don't be the next accident driving to find somewhere to happen
4. Don't let your motor vehicle be a weapon of death and destruction
5. Put the alcohol in your gas tank, not in your head
6. Don't drink or drugged
7. If you drive like hell you'll get there sooner than later.
The road safety council should give thought to my proposals.
I am, etc.,
SAMUEL FERGUSON
Red Hills PO
St Andrew