LETTER: Dominicans stop playing chicken on the roads

Risk-taking chicken.

I am 100% convinced Dominican pedestrians are not smart.

Being a visitor here it is annoying to watch Dominicans stroll across the roadways as if they don’t care for their own life and limb! How can someone attempt to cross, or cross the road then look after?

As a youngster growing up in Antigua, our parents taught us to stop, look up and down at least twice, and ensure the road is clear enough for crossing. Not Dominicans. They run or walk cross the road like a chicken without sometimes ever looking if a vehicle was coming.

And if you miss hitting them they tell you about your mother*** and threaten to sue. In other countries, careless pedestrian as such would not survive to tell the tale, much less to sue anyone for their own careless behaviour.

Proper road use starts with home training and public education programmes.

Big people cannot be walking across the road like their strolling through their residential backyard.

Earlier this week, I almost hit an old man because he walked across the road suddenly and only stopped to look when I mashed the brakes. Instead of saying sorry, he waved angrily at me. I was driving at about 40 miles per hour. If I was coming at 70-80, he would be a dead man.

Of nuisance are the biker boyz, who think they are the most notorious and dangerous. They swerve dangerously in traffic, across incoming vehicles and stop suddenly, then hurl threats and expletives. Normally, I do not say anything because it will be a shootout resembling the wild wild west if they decide to touch first gear. Apparently, they are made out of iron, but they must note that most people aren’t afraid of a bad frown.

I think the police department need to take a little money from their budget and spend on an education programme, otherwise your citizens will remain and careless regarding road use.

Angry Visitor

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60 Comments

  1. Helen
    August 6, 2010

    Agree, i think we need to educate our people on road crossing. Every body crossing in a hurry we crossing, standing up to see who driving the vehicle, texting, and all those nonsence. Now what i hate the most, they will not cross straight you no, they will walk down on the coming vehicle to cross the road, boy that just kill me eh.

  2. FIRE
    August 6, 2010

    WE WERE ALL WATCHING THIS BEHAVIOUR FOR SOME TIME AND SAID NOTHING.THE POLICE SHOULD BE MAKING THOSE COMMENTS TO SAVE LIFE & LIMB NOT THE ANTIGAN . THE BUS DRIVERS ARE HUSTLERS WE MUST LET THEM DO THERE THING. BUT BUS DRIVERS SHOULD NOT TRY TO BLOCK TRAFIC AND LET THERE PASSINGERS CROSS THE ROAD IT IS A DANGEROUS PRACTISE…LETS USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE THINGS WE SEE THAT ARE WRONG.

  3. Jean
    August 6, 2010

    @……….i…………:

    No need to use this forum to insult people. The Golden Rule: “Treat others as you expect them to treat you.” I am a D/can who resides overseas. I have been to Antigua and I know some people from Antigua. Those whom I know are not black and ugly. They are beautiful and of mixed heritage, so-called black and white.
    Have you been to Antigua? You are calling them black and ugly. D/ca also has black and ugly people. In fact every country has black/white ugly people. Therefore, it is ridiculous and inconsiderate to make such an unbecoming and insulting statement about your fellow human being and neighbor.
    I am of mixed heritage as well.
    Keep in mind that whatever our color or features, dark, light-skinned, beautiful, handsome or not; healthy or not, we are all God’s children, made in his own image and likeness. God is not pleased with such people who insult others and specifically for no reasons. You need to learn to speak respectfully.
    The rule of the road in every country: “Look before you walk”. Otherwise, you stand a chance of being knocked down. Yes! These pedestrians need to be educated on following the rule. Drivers are also negligent and drive too fast for the type of roads which D/ca has.
    Some months ago I read on this Website and sadly so, of a young lady who died in an accident. A young life was snuffed out by a careless driver. She had such a promising future. This is so sad. The driver of the other vehicle was at fault. Whatever time of day or night or early morning, drivers should always drive cautiously. Their very own lives are at stake if they are careless drivers. If everyone would obey the rules of the road and think of others and themselves as they drive and also walk, there would be no accidents. Pedestrians need to change their attitude. So do drivers.
    Today, there are more vehicles on the road as there were in previous years. Does D/ca have the road(s) to accommodate all these vehicles? By no means!
    In addition, with the numerous vehicles, Roseau of all need street lights. The last time, recently, when I visited my (our) beautiful country of D/ca, crossing the main streets in Roseau was no easy feat. I thought that my life is in my hand. I had to ask the driver with a wave of the hand to stop so that I could cross. How can pedestrians cross the street and safely so when there are a string of vehicles as if it is a procession.
    It is practically impossible for pedestrians to cross the street; worst yet during rush hour when they are going to work. They think that they own the roads and pedestrians do not have a right to walk on them.
    Drivers hardly ever, if none at all, allow pedestrians to cross the street. The solution to this, be it that Roseau is a small town, in view of the increased traffic, street lights are definitely needed in certain areas, to protect both drivers and pedestrians. I have spoken about this to other people. It is not a laughing matter but a serious one which the D/ca government should look into and eventually implement.
    Furthermore, D/ca attracts tourists. If D/ca wants increased tourists visits, the government should ensure that the matter of road signs, street lights and pedestrian crossing the streets and walking on sidewalks are looked into and implemented. Personally, I would be elated to see this occur and so would every D/can, visitor or resident.
    Consider also the sidewalks. They are not even safe to walk on. Pedestrians could fall into the drains which are not covered and injure themselves. The government also has to consider the pedestrians and not only the drivers. I hope that I made my point clear.

  4. theTruthInEyeOfaYoungStar
    August 6, 2010

    people i c no reason 4 us to be aguring about a stupid article which makes no sense.As we know these kind of careless behaviours occur everywhere..in every country and in every state.So i dont see the need for us to be going around calling each other name…those are childish behaviour…and FYI we all are some illiterate fools going areound behaving like that…..i am a 9year old Dominican proud of my nationality because i know things that happen in my country, happens all over the world…thank you…..

  5. ManMan
    August 5, 2010

    @lady: Well LADY, if is nonsense/ crap/ sot / koshoni all you doing, doh say that den? Is nonsense dem people doing boy!! Doh take the visitor to task my lady.

  6. baby-z
    August 5, 2010

    The topic of discussion is a good one.However the manner in which the article was written is inappropriate.The words used to describe the people of my country is not acceptable at all. I honestly believe that the man is out of place and to me if you dont like how our people are crossing the road why didn’t u just volunter your time and come to every work place to teach the people of our country how to cross the road how dumb you would look. Children are taught how to cross the roads since at the age of 4 so mister get ur facts straight.

  7. @Kanpeche:
    Hahahahahahahahahahahahah!

    If a person can be semi-lit-er-ate, meaning they are able to read and write on an elementary level, or able to read, however, unable to write, nonetheless having limited knowledge or understanding, or shall we simply say ” not well-versed ” in the subjects mentioned we do term that:

    ” Semiliterate.”

    So, reversing the above, what do we find; perhaps it could be construed as semi-illiteracy!

    That’s an expressed opinion, I am not a linguistics major!

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

  8. @……….i…………:

    ” Another fact: In the big countries if you run over a pedestrian or cyclist your ass will go jail whether its your fault or not.”

    The above statement is not altogether correct:

    In the United States, there is what is called Jay-Walking, that is when a person crosses the Street, where there are no designated cross walk, if you are caught walking across a major highway, by the police you will be cited, and find in a court of law.

    In the event you did not pay the fine on schedule, a warrant will be issued for your arrest, you will be picked up and taken to jail where you will serve time for Jay-walking.

    In that case you will be convicted of a misdemeanor.

    If someone Jay-walks in front of a motor vehicle, and that car or truck accidentally run that person over, it unlikely the person driving the car or truck will get arrested.

    I am certain of that because one of my sons was involved in a driving incident like that, and he was never arrested, all he did was state to the police what had occurred, however, when something like that happens, never leave until the police arrive and assess the situation, even if the person you hit dies in the accident, if you leave, that is considered ” hit and run ” indicating your guilt, and you could be put away for a very long time.

    By the same token, if the cross walk light say’s walk, and you hit some crossing on the white light when it said walk, you are going to jail, in addition to the civil law suite you will face, in addition of been convicted of a felony.

    By the way if there are people crossing on the designated cross walk, and a driver try’s to cut them off, by driving past them when they are crossing, that is a crime, and if caught by the police in the act, you can be certain the driver is going to jail period.

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

  9. Educator
    August 5, 2010

    @Inrested, @Anti-hate, @Watcher and @Lynn….. All I have to say is Stupessssssssssssssssss. Make you all own point and don’t comment on mine. Are you all even sure that I really care if I get cripple or not maybe I just have an uncureable disease and really want an ignorant driver to run me over. Ask first okay before commenting…….

  10. Interested
    August 5, 2010

    @Educator: you do realize that if the person knock you down and damages your legs beyond repair the money they pay you won’t make you walk around again right

  11. lady
    August 5, 2010

    i’m not saying is a good thing they doing(strolling across the road), but that is no reason for this visitor to just come and call a people stupid.

  12. ..........i............
    August 5, 2010

    @all-in-1: Who are you to tell folks on here about their spelling and grammar when you begin your sentence with a small “i” ? Not only that throughout your comment there are small “i”s and the last I heard one is suppose to capitalize the letter “I” when used in possessive form or speaking of one self. mmmm? By the way its guide not “duide” , so I guess this makes you semi-illetrate as well!

    People can be so silly

  13. ..........i............
    August 5, 2010

    All Antiguans aren’t smart! I bet you tink this is generalization right? Fact: Antiguans are black like tar and ugly to. Your argument or whatever it is rude and demeaning.

    Another fact: In the big countries if you run over a pedestrian or cyclist your ass will go jail whether its your fault or not. This is because a motorized vehicle is considered a weapon and Fact: unless the pedestrian come out from no where (lets hope you have evidence) then you are negligent. Maybe thats not how it works in antigua but I know Fact: in a USA and England this is how it works.

    Calm down, look both ways and live your life. When its your time to live this earth its your time and nothing can change that.

    Stop ranting all over the place and your Mother*** live DA FOLKS ALONE!

  14. thinkinman
    August 5, 2010

    To thee writer. Very Good Article…however, the average Dominican wears his ignorance like crown. Educating people when and how to cross the streets will not make a difference. What the gov’t should do with the little money your suggest they take, is to have policemen patrol the main streets of the town areas and issue tickets to both pedestrians and drivers who do not comply with the basic road rules. For example…a pedestrian will stand and wait for a bus 50 ft. away from a bus stand….now when a bus does stop for them, because of where that pedestrian is standing that bus will stop traffic regardless of who or what or how many vehicles have to wait for it to move off before traffic can start moving again. Patroling traffic officers should issue tickets to both the pedestrian for promoting the act… and the bus driver for the same offence. If you go to other caribbean countries…unless you’re standing at a bus stop… 8/10 times the bus will never stop for you. I believe that we do enjoy a certain level of freedom in Dominica…more than most other countries in the world. However, we need to act responsibily and think before we act. In the States you can be charged for Jaywalking….in dominica…..everyone does it..

  15. Kanpeche
    August 5, 2010

    @all-in-1:

    ALL-IN-ONE: YOU SEEM TO FALL IN THE SAME CATEGORY WHICH WHO HAVE DESCRIBED. THE WORD IS: SEMI-LITERATE. NOT SEMI-ILLITERATE. YOU CANNOT BE SEMI-ILLITERATE. YOU CAN BE ILLITERATE, LITERATE, OR SEMI-LITERATE. NOW, WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES WHEN WE WRITE. IN THE FUTURE, IF YOU ARE GOING TO CRITICIZE, CHECK THE SCREEN BEFORE YOU HIT SEND.

    LESSON 101 – EN BAS MANGO UNIVERSITY.

  16. T
    August 5, 2010

    This is so true the people in Dominica are very careless when it comes to street signs and paying attention on the road. It is really annoying when driving and the pedestrians believe that they have more rights on the road rather than the drivers who pay the licence. I think we as a people both pedestrians and drivers need to be more observant, careful and serious on the streets and lets be less ignorant about it.

  17. Kanpeche
    August 5, 2010

    EVERYONE DOMINICAN WHO IS NOW SITTING IN THE WRITER’S DONKEY BOX NEEDS TO REALLY UNDERSTAND HIS/HER POSITION, AND WHAT THE ARTICLE IS SAYING: MR. OR MS. DONKEY BOX’S LEAD OFF STATEMENT SAYS, “I am 100% convinced Dominican pedestrians are not smart.” IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE THOSE STILL RIDING ON THE DONKEY BOX WHO DO NOT GET IT. BASIC REASONING GOES: WRITER MAKES A GENERAL ASSERTION THAT ALL DOMINICANS ARE DUMB. NOW, I KNOW THAT THERE ARE A FEW OF YOU WHO WILL SAY, THAT IS NOT WHAT THE WRITER IS SAYING – THE WRITER SAID THAT “100% OF DOMINICAN PEDESTRIANS ARE NOT SMART. HE/SHE MEANS ONLY PEDESTRIANS. IF THAT IS SO, THEN, THAT MEANS THAT ALL DOMINICANS ARE DUMB. WHY? ALL DOMINICANS ARE DUMB, BECAUSE AT ONE POINT OR ANOTHER, EVERY SINGLE DOMINICAN WALKS – EVEN THOSE WHO SPEND MOST OF THEIR TIME BEHIND THE WHEEL. I AM CERTAIN THAT EVERY SINGLE PERSON WILL SOMETIMES CROSS AT A POINT IN THE ROAD WHERE IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE TO DO SO. SO, FOR THOSE DRIVERS WHO ARE SIDING WITH THIS CLOWN, THE WRITER IS SAYING THAT YOU ARE DUMB, BECAUSE WE ARE ALL DOMINICAN PEDESTRIANS SOMETIMES. WELL!!! ARE YOU NOT A PEDESTRIAN SOMETIMES?

    IT IS BASIC REASONING, MY FRIENDS. BY SIDING WITH THIS CLOWN, YOU HAVE JUST PROVEN THAT YOU DO NOT READ AND UNDERSTAND BEFORE YOUR FINGERS HIT THE KEYBOARD. A PERSON JUST CAME INTO YOUR LIVING ROOM AND SMACKED YOU ON YOUR HEAD; AND YOU JUST SIT THERE NOT REALIZING WHAT HE/SHE JUST DID. IT IS A SHAME. WE ARE BETTER THAN THAT, GUYS.

  18. Roz
    August 5, 2010

    My father always say he will write “COW” on his jeep to see if they will clear the way when they see him coming.
    I am both a pedestrian and a driver and I think drivers have a part to play in encouraging this behaviour in pedestrians. We stop anywhere at any time to let pedestrians saunter across. Several times i am standing waiting for a break in the traffic to cross when out of nowhere, a driver stops to let me cross. I motion for them to keep it moving. i will cross on my own time.

  19. Lily
    August 5, 2010

    @BOSS LADY:

    lol.

  20. all-in-1
    August 5, 2010

    i have read with amusement all the silly comments made. It shows our mepuis culture we wear it like a crown! As a driver I have experienced it many times and god forbid. whether it happens in Antigua or not is not the issue. The remark “jam me and you will see” is idiotic so i usually retort, i will feel shame but not the pain.
    on another note, the language and spelling in our comments leaves a lot to be desired and convinces me that we have a high level of semi-illiterates.
    may god duide us when using the road.

  21. wil
    August 5, 2010

    While I agree that a number of people do not pay attention when crossing the streets, I also find that a lot of drivers do not respect pedestrians to. Both the driver and pedestrian need to pay attention, and there should be mutual respect from both sides. And drivers need to show respect and restraints to other drivers the roads to. In the case of Dominica, I find there is little respect for emergency vehicles. And to Angry Visitor- you were going 40mph? I think that was quite a lot of speed for Dominica. To the pedestrians, my parents always say “iron does not feel”- give the vehicles room and cross at designated crossing.

  22. @ManMan:

    ManMan, I am not taking this man and his country to task, as a matter of fact I can consider Antigua my country also, since I have what is called Belonger status on that island, meaning I have every right in Antigua, as a native born.

    We can thank the Late Minister Of Home Affairs and Labor Donald Halstead for that!

    I still have an Antigua National Passport, I can go into and out of Antigua, stay as long as I want, and no questions ask. Nonetheless, that’s beside the point. He portray’s us as an ignorant people, who does not have enough commonsense to protect ourselves, from oncoming traffic, when we cross the street.

    My point is that the situation is worst in Antigua!

    I know that for a fact, seeing is believing, I saw the same thing in Antigua.

    If we focus on Barbados, we find the same thing, it’s not unusual to stand on a street Connor in Barbados attempting to cross the street, and you’ll find traffic coming at you for as long as ten to fifteen minuets, you are stock can’t cross the road!

    That happened to me in an area called the Carrinage in Bridgetown. You see there was a time when there were few cars, and trucks in Dominica, and so we had no need for Street Lights, and Cross Walks, maybe the time has come for us to have such installed in our country, which would spare both drivers, and pedestrians the agony which they have to tolerate until such development comes along; nonetheless, this should not be a subject for criticisms.

    We live with the times until changes can be implemented.

    Although there are Street lights in some places in Antigua, I do not remember seeing a single designated Cross Walk on any of the major streets I named previously, so that’s why I fail to see his point.

    In the event, if he zeroed in on the less developed islands of the Caribbean including Antigua, and how we behave in reference to motor vehicle traffic, and people crossing the streets, and give some suggestions as to how we may deal with it, that might be something worthwhile debating.

    To reference me as a chicken minded person does not set too well with me.

    I am Dominican born right!

    So, I am one of the white Chicken attempting to cross the street with huge Rig powering down on me:

    ” That mean I done dead.”

    Hahahahahahahahahaha!

    Well, even here in Los Angeles, where there are countless, cross walks, you still have people running across traffic, as a matter of fact one of my son’s got into an accident that way, a woman ran across the street and he ran right into her. She ended up getting a citation, for the offence, my son was not charged in a accident.

    Another case, I have a cousin from the village Delices, who got knocked down in Toronto while crossing the street on the cross walk, when the light told her to walk.

    The good thing about it all in the accident where my son struck the lady, and my cousin getting hit also, they were not killed, and survived and overcome their injuries.

    And finally, I would like to suggest that we do need tourism in our country, and we should be very careful about suggesting to people that if they do not like our behavior and what not they should not come to Dominica.

    I suggest, though an Antiguan, his Easte Caribean Curency spends the same as any other currency, which we so badly need, therefore he too must be welcome.

    Someone threw some insults at the Antiguan, I would like to say that’s not good, because there are more than twenty-five thousand Dominican born living in Antigua, some have children who are born there.

    I have relatives form Wesley who move there in recent years, making a better living than they could in Dominica.

    I have an aunt who went there way back in 1912 with her husband who served there as a police officer, they had several children, some surviving are in their seventy’s, and eighty’s they produced children, and grandchildren, and great grands’ so let’s be kind to them.

    Though I am born in Dominica, my actual adult life began in Antigua, I was fourteen years old then, and the rest is history!

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

  23. Homeboy
    August 5, 2010

    While this may be true, Mr or Ms Antigua this happens all over the world. I drive in NY and the same thing happens.. So don’t claim that this is a Dominican thing. It happening all over.

  24. Castle Bruce
    August 5, 2010

    MY GOD!!! THANK YOU. Some one finally came out and said it. (Sigh of relief)

  25. Big-Bannan
    August 5, 2010

    At a glance, and for those who have traveled or lived in big countries (not islands) you know there are usually crossing lights that allow people to cross intersections. Neither Dominica, Antigua or for that matter the “islands” under privious british rule are yet to see that technology. We seem 45 years behind and we don’t even realize it. So until that time the writer has posed a good observation about crossing the roads.. but Antigua is absolutely the same.

  26. WAIT A MINUTE
    August 5, 2010

    My friend this is Dominica in 2010.Anything goes…I am a driver myself,and there are times you have to toot you horn several times before a casual,don’t care pedestrian will make way for you to pass.Before he does that,he will also tell you several things about your mother..LORD HELP US!!!

  27. Dominican in sxm
    August 5, 2010

    just last week i told my sister the same thing about the way our people cross the road , i was home last week and it so scared to see how our people stroll when crossing the streets .they run from the rain but take all their time for on coming vehicle.

  28. Fedup
    August 5, 2010

    Hear the message and stop attacking the messenger. The writer speaks the truth. As a driver, I am often apalled at how we cross the street. I have narrowly avoided knocking down pedestrians many, many times. We just step out onto the road from between parked cars, around corners, after getting out of buses, anywhere, everywhere. Very recently, I had to wait on a young man as he crossed diagonally around a junction, taking his own time to cross. It would have been so much faster if he had just crossed one street instead of walking across the entire junction. I reflected on this lack of consideration for drivers and was bemused at how we now tend to blame others even when we are wrong.
    Drivers don’t want to hit anybody. We just want to get where we are going. Please, cross carefully. We were all taught to look before we cross. As we grow up, we realise that it is commonsense to look before we cross. Forget who crosses without looking. It’s your life, my friends. Live.

  29. Kanpeche
    August 5, 2010

    @One Love:

    YOU ARE BEING SARCASTIC, RIGHT?

  30. Kanpeche
    August 5, 2010

    OK, PEOPLE. LET US GET A GRIP. WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE WORLD COMING TO AN END. YOU GUYS ARE DECIPHERING THIS WRITER’S VENTING AS IF IT IS A MANUAL ON HOW WE SHOULD LIVE OUR LIVES. YOU GUYS ARE UNREAL. WHAT THE WRITER HAS STATED IS THE OBVIOUS. EVERYONE AROUND THE WORLD DOES IT. THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CROSS THE STREET, BUT IT HAPPENS EVERYWHERE. TO EACH HIS OWN. IN THE U.S., THERE ARE STATES THAT MAKE “JAYWALKING” ILLEGAL. IF A PERSON WANTS TO TAKE THE CHANCE AND CROSS THE STREETS, THAT IS HIS/HER CHOICE; AND HE/SHE WILL FACE THE CONSEQUENCES. BIG DEAL…THE SKY IS FALLING!!!TRA LA LA!!!

    100% OF DOMINICANS ARE STUPID IS AN INCENDIARY STATEMENT MEANT TO INFLAME AND DEGRADE DOMINICANS. WHAT IS SAD IS, YOU JOKERS ARE TAKING THIS THING SO SERIOUSLY, YOU ARE MAKING THIS “DONKEY BOX” FEEL LIKE HE/SHE HAS JUST DISCOVERED THE HOLY GRAIL. I LOVE MY FELLOW DOMINICANS, BUT SOMETIMES, WE TAKE OURSELVES TOO SERIOUSLY.

  31. Kanpeche
    August 5, 2010

    Although I do not completely disagree with you, your statement reeks of one-handed spite. What is it with you Antiguans with your Dominica bashing? Is it as a result of envy, because Antigua is losing its luster, and Dominica is gaining grounds in the tourist industry ( which is your bread and butter)?

    You must also be convinced that 100% of people in every country are not smart. Have you been to Rome? What about Hong Kong? I have seen Parisiens take their chances crossing the Champs Elysees. What about New York City? Human nature says that a person will find the easiest path to where he/she wants to go. It is applicable to all people and nations around the world.

  32. Anti-hate
    August 5, 2010

    ‘Educator’ is exactly the kind of idiot the writer is talking about..

    What an ignorant fool, talking about you are fully comprehensive…I for sure would rather be cautious and keep my health and strength.

    What about if you get knocked down and get crippled for life..Or lose your sight, or an arm or leg..Are you that stupid that you prefer some insurance money than your health….SMGDH!!

  33. Watcher
    August 5, 2010

    @Educator: Would you put your life on the lifeline for mere $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Get cripple for $$$$$$$$$$$$. Safety first must be encouraged. It is better to be safe than sorry. So as a pedestrian .. Take all the necessary precaution on the road and don’t stroll like a chicken. Rightly said we do this in Dominica. But when we go overseas we have to conform to rules on the road or else …….one would be dead like a duck.

    Be careful what we do and say.

  34. Watcher
    August 5, 2010

    @Educator: Hey stop this. This is a very good article and we should heed . Whether is an Antiguan/Dominican the points are well noted. You are full comprehensive. What do you mean by this? It is better to be safe than sorry. Ok . Let us listen to one another and take the issues seriously. Stop the hitting back at persons and the vilifying. Everything has to be taken and used as an opportunity to say something bad to the commentator. If you do not listen, you don’t learn. One can even learn something from even the street person. Just listen and you can even learn something that one was not even aware of. Learning is an ongoing process. The person made some valid points. Tolerance and Respect.

  35. BOSS LADY
    August 5, 2010

    It is so funny that our pple will move tot he side when they see a cow…but not for a vehicle….I tell a woman a few weeks ago..you dont kno if I’m having a bad day…you jus walking infront my vehicle even if you see I didnt stop..I could’ve just press the gas and run you over,,,OUR PEOPLE need to be mindful of vehicle….cuz there might be a mad person behind the wheel…THE ANTIGUAN RIGHT>>AND ALLU KNO IS DE TRUTH>..ALLU TOO HYPOCRITE…cuz i wouldn’t mad brakes…I would run you over…and even reverse back on you again…

  36. LYNN
    August 5, 2010

    @Educator: You are a fool. Please think about what u are saying. Is this the advice you would give to your child or any other child when educating them to be street wise? What we are doing in Dominica is wrong and the police or whoever is in charge of lining out and marking off the streets should really start to practise using the correct guidelines for our pedestrians. U are just lucky that someone has not killed you with on the streets with your foolish attitude.

  37. this is funny
    August 5, 2010

    look up & down or look left & right b4 crossing the streets lol

  38. sense
    August 5, 2010

    hay this man is a moron,first of all he is 1 of those ppl who think he’s better that other people cause he grow up in small island…….let me tell u if he was a real antiguain he would know better cause no body cross the road worst than antiguan people……wha education have to do with crossing the road? wan dog know how to cross the road and he’s not educated!!! man ur education is wasted cause a bullshit u a chat!!!! you said you grew up in antigua but u were born in dominica….and you aa come and dis own country…….BOY HARL U RASS AND GO GET WAN LIFE U DUMB Fu**….AND IM ANITGUAN…AND U NOT WELCOME THERE ANYMORE CAUSE U A WAN SCUNT..NO BETTER U A WAN RASS!!!! WAN DAM RASS….GO BACK TO SCHOOL… anyways hope ur enjoying your holiday. no COME BACK YA

  39. One Love
    August 5, 2010

    @elizabeth xavier:

    ARE YOU AVAILABLE TO CHAIR A COMMITTEE TO PUT RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE AUTHORITIES — – WHEN NEXT YOU RETURN? CHRISTMAS ; CARNIVAL; DEATH IN THE FAMILY; OR NEXT ELECTIONS?

  40. Dominican- London Based
    August 5, 2010

    Chemist,

    I am in agreement with you on that one. It is not only a Caribbean Issue it is right here in the UK as well. However, as a child growing up at home in Zicack ,there were less vehicles as we used to play skip and rounders on the road and the vehicle would stop for us to leave. I can recall when Mr Robinson would have to stophis truckto allow us to vacate the road.

    However, time has move on and our mentality seems to have remained the same. I have been on vacation many of times and I have witness the same scenario. On another note I read something about the goverment why everthing has to be placed on the goverment head. We all have to take reponsibity for our actions.

  41. One Love
    August 5, 2010

    DEAR “ANGRY”

    WHY PRESS THE BRAKES?. . . WHY STOP AT ALL?. . . . JUST RUN DOWN THE STUPID PEDESTRIANS – – – THAT’LL TEACH THEM AN UNFORGETTABLE LESSON. . . YES SEND THEM TO LYNDHURST TO REFLECT ON THE FOLLY OF THEIR WAYS.

    YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE SUBJECTED TO SUCH RIDICULOUS HUMAN BEHAVIOUR . . . WE CAN’T ALL BE LIKE YOU – PERFECT IN EVERY RESPECT … DO YOUR BIT TO RID THE WORLD OF UNWANTED STREET-CROSSERS

    AND WHILE YOU’RE AT IT KILL ONE FOR ME TOO . . . . THOSE BASTARDS

  42. Educator
    August 5, 2010

    STUPESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS……………… Antiguan want to come and say we aint aware of what we doing and need education on how to cross a street. We not made of iron but we know what we are doing. I cross the streets across vehicle daily and I don’t get knock down. Then again I am fully comprehensive so who knock me down and don’t kill me need to comes up wid some good $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Boy go back Antigua and becarefull who you knock down.

  43. August 5, 2010

    I have a few observation.

    Our roads are very small. Cars, buses, vans, Jeeps, and all of those different kinds of vehicles are increasing day by day, week by week, month by month, and year by year.

    I could not believe my eyes when I saw the amount of vehicles that was in Roseau, when I was there in 2008, compared to when I left in 1974. Even in my own village, almost everyone owns a vehicle. Before I left Dominica we knew exactly who drove up our village road, because there was so few sounds of engines to differentiate.

    But the main roads of Roseau do not look one inch larger. Drivers need to park there vehicle somewhere to go to their jobs and other daily routines. Part of the roads that are already so small serves as parking lots.

    Now I do not know whether the government is making money out the vending service, but vendors seemed to have increased by 1000%, and 999% occupy the side-walks. There is just no space for pedestrians and the situation will not get better if the government does not do something about the vending business, especially on the streets of Roseau.

    Drivers are complaining that pedestrians are a problem, but there is a larger percentage of pedestrians who just have no place to walk, except to use the wide open street as quick as they can find an empty space.

    I loved being Dominica after so many years of absence, but my greatest headache was having to walk around in Roseau. There is just too little space for pedestrians to walk.

    In Toronto people are asked to leave their vehicles at home, and use public transit during working hours, because of almost the same problem, except it has to do with too many vehicles on the roads. And yet a Toronto street has as much as four lanes and there are parking lots which are bigger than Roseau itself.

    Again I am saying that if the government is not thinking of doing something about the sidewalks of Roseau now, within the next five to ten years, there is going to be real chaos, with people needing to do their business on foot, drivers wanting to travel the streets, as well as those who will want to park their vehicle to settle in some place. Watch my word!

  44. miss wills
    August 5, 2010

    if this was coming from anyone but an antiguan i would listen or pay attention, but an Antiguan want to come and call us stupid, all i can say is a long chupessssssssssssss. And by the way Jay walking happens everywhere get educated!

  45. ManMan
    August 4, 2010

    @Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque: Hey, dont take the man or his country to task. What was said in the report is so very very very true, and YOU KNOW THAT. Some Dominicans walk across the street like they in their backyard. But if it was a cow running in the street, these very ones will climb a Domlec pole to escape. People need to change their mentality and attitude cause the vehicles don’t feel pain, people do. Tell them go Trinidad and try to cross a highway and they go see, if is not dead they will be dead!

  46. sonia
    August 4, 2010

    I always say that Dominicans don’t have respect for vehicles, but if it was a bad cow or bull that was the cars they would give the cow or bull big big room

  47. chemist
    August 4, 2010

    I totally agree with you on that…..but this however is not only a Dominica or c/bean issue it’s an issue no matter where you go. I live in the U.S and I have seen ppl cross the road without even looking to see if the vehicle was going to stop…. they just cross as if the driver is OBLIGATED to stop…whether they are at a crosswalk or not. Pedestrians need to be more careful, at the end of the day it’s your life you are playing with!!

  48. Anonymous
    August 4, 2010

    i think that few predestrians should be knocked down so that a message cou;d be sent, pity that the lays are only for drivers and not predestrians. Sad thing is when we go to other countries we do much better.

  49. Interested
    August 4, 2010

    i love this article. as a child my father would always tell us be careful when crossing the streets cause he has never seen cars on hospital beds it’s always people he sees. you drive in dominica and adults as well as children just randomly cross the street with no regard and when you ask them to be careful the curse you and tell you that you are in your vehicle while they are the ones walking. it’s sad the level of ignorance some of us have in this country. and it’s also sad that these same people who yell and curse when you ask them to be careful when crossing the street are the same ones who when they travel overseas are the last ones to cross the streets because they are afraid that someone knocks them down when they vehicles don’t stop.

  50. Loubiere
    August 4, 2010

    The Caribbean is full of chicken crossing roads with the exception for Trinidad that has killer highways
    he talk about Antigua? if you go to Grays Farm the people walk senselessly on the road and they would not move until they reach where they going.

  51. j
    August 4, 2010

    @true:

    i agree with the article but disagree with “true”/.. sometimes there may be a pedestrian crossing the the visinity but we refuse to use them and cross n e where but knock them down n is u the driver that in trouble. or the ladies crossing on the pedestrian crossing as if they on a cat walk i doe know if they think they in bollywood

  52. 100%
    August 4, 2010

    100% agree with you. It’s real non-sense now. Is stroll alone some people does stroll across a road. Now talk about the school children, children of today, leaders of tomorrow. They want to walk in threes and fours in a line across the road to talk before and after school, walking in the middle of the road. It’s almost like they ready to jam your vehicle. But make a mistake and pass on a toe or better yet hold a hard brakes in front them and it’s a problem. No home training. No manners on the road. Man I’m in my twenties and I know I not old but these children does really piss me off. If ever my son or daughter gets knocked down on the road I already tell them it better be the driver fault because you not putting me in trouble for your non-sense so walk like a young man or lady on the road.

  53. joe
    August 4, 2010

    if they lived in the USA they would be dead, they have done that for years especialy along the small village roads they think the road is for them and them alone. I understand there are hardly any sidewalks but my god look before u cross and exercise caution. I would never drive in dominica it is too easy to hit someone.

  54. Righteous!
    August 4, 2010

    Totally agree with this observaton. They could care less about traffic. As we use to say, “If it was a cow coming, they would all scatter away cause a cow have wo horn”. All jokes aside though. The people need to pay more attention to traffic and respect traffic a little more. As for de biker boyz, they are ignorant and ride around like they have a death wish. That day will come.

  55. Now if you based you argument on what your parents taught, you, and you personally look up and down, or look left and right before you cross the road, I can understand that, but that is not the case regarding the majority of Antiguan’s.

    I can contradict that by simple asking you if you are familiar with the following terms terms?

    ” Nack me down nar, you go nack me down, ar Antigua me come fram, you war me bang you ra.. ….:”

    Normally, those are the words commonly thrown at drivers when your native Antiguan’s take their time and calmly walk across the streets, in front of cars; we find that on busy High Street, Market Street, New Gate Street, East Street, Thames Street, Redcliffe Street, Redcliffe & Cross Street, and what about in the area of the Public market, on both sides, East and West.

    So, what you find in Dominica, the same apply’s in Antigua, and probable worst!

    Now I am not defending the behavior of our people, however, don’t pretend that the attitude and behavior of the Antiguan’s are any different to ours!

    Take that to the bank!

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

  56. August 4, 2010

    Thank you , hope thats persons can pay hed to this aticle.life is most inportant.

  57. national
    August 4, 2010

    Thank you for this article….it really sad

  58. dominican living abroad
    August 4, 2010

    well if we r not smart and r like chicken y come to our island then
    i have been living in sxm for more than 26 yrs and driving for almost 24 on the roads of sxm and if it was not for God protecting me many times i could have killed people also
    but i don’t go around calling them stupid
    u know it’s just a matter of the pot calling the kettle black to me
    pls when u visit don’t criticize
    if u r not satisfied with the way things r just don’t revisit that’s all
    O DOMINICA THE LAND OF BEAUTY

  59. SS
    August 4, 2010

    i totally agree with you, and its not Dominicans only, visitors and tourists and students (ross and uwi) stroll across the road leisurely, like they have forgotten where they have come from. There are sidewalks and some people prefer to walk on the road. Anywhere else you would be roadkill.. ever try to cross a road in sxm, ha.. go stroll across that one, see how they just flying you and not even stopping to see if your body touch the ground yet. ha!

  60. true
    August 4, 2010

    they take freedom becuase there are no cross-walks, stret lights or hardly any signs for pedestrians, its about time we get some. Drivers get charged for breaking traffic rules, pedestrians should be chrged for breaking rules too. I am so scared to drive when i go home. Children as well as big people just cross or should i say stroll on the streets and do as they please.

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