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Drivers Urged To Cut Their Speed

December 1, 2007

The Full Story

The Road Safety Unit is appealing to drivers to cut their speed on the roads. This comes in light of the alarming number of persons killed on the roads since the start of the year, which now stands at 297. Of the number, 27 were children between the ages of 0 to 14; 13 were passengers in public passenger vehicles (PPV); and 68 were private motor vehicle (PMC) passengers.
Accident Analyst at the Road Safety Unit, Kenute Hare, said that as the Christmas season approaches, persons should exercise greater care on the roads. “We hope that in the month of December, persons will be very cautious on the nation’s roadways,” he said.
“We are appealing to drivers not to drink alcohol and drive. We should not use this season as an opportunity to create mayhem on our road ways, we should also practice defensive driving in this period,” he urged.
For those drivers who have to drink, they must have a designated driver, Mr. Hare advised. Additionally, he encouraged drivers to plan their routes and “do not disregard or disrespect the road signs and markings.” Mr. Hare is also appealing to passengers and drivers to wear their seat belts in the front seats and back seats. “We have had 68 passengers dead so far and I can tell you that most of these passengers were not wearing their seat belt,” he stated.
Drivers, who are transporting children, are also urged to ensure that they are properly belted and fitted in the necessary safety gadgets. “We have noticed that very little effort is made by the parents to ensure that their children are transported safely on the road network. the dangling of children in motor cars has to stop,” Mr. Hare said.
Turning to the matter of pedestrian safety, Mr. Hare said that pedestrians must “cross on the pedestrian crossings, where traffic lights are available. They should wait until it’s their time to cross the road, instead of stepping out.”
He is also advising young drivers, who have just received their licences, to obey the necessary road codes, signs and markings. “They should realize that they are going through a learning process on the road so they should not try to operate the motor vehicle as if they have been driving for too long and once they stay within the confines of the law, they will be able to exert greater control over the vehicle,” he stated.
Mr. Hare added that these drivers should not put themselves in positions that will compromise their abilities to make the necessary reactions and adjustments that will help them to deal with the eventualities that will occur on the roads.
Earlier this month, the Road Safety Unit launched a Defensive Driving public education campaign dubbed ‘Drive for Life’, as part of efforts to reduce the carnage of the roads.
The aim of the campaign is to improve the ability of drivers to anticipate dangerous situations, despite adverse conditions or the mistakes of others. The initiative requires drivers to expect the unexpected and to remain alert to all eventualities. It also requires constant attention to the actions of other road users, so that nothing is taken for granted.
Executive Director at the Unit, Paul Clemetson, said that being attentive, alert and proactive are essential for safety and competence in driving.
He noted some essential principles that drivers are to acquire and live by and these include: never overtaking on a bend or at a junction; to never drive in a manner that will prove offensive to others; always giving clear indication of your intentions in advance; and always fasten seatbelts and secure children in child seats before driving.

Last Updated: December 1, 2007

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