Dominica joins the rest of the world today, May 11, in observance of the launching of the Decade of Action for Road Safety, 2011 to 2020, declared by the United Nations General Assembly.
This action has been taken in recognition of the fact that deaths and injuries on the world’s roads are increasing and have reached crisis levels.
Each year about 1.3 million people lose their lives due to road traffic crashes and it is projected that this figure could rise to 1.9 million deaths by 2020 without effective action. Indeed, road traffic crashes are the number 1 cause of death for young people aged 15-29 years worldwide.
In Dominica, the Ministry of Health is reporting that for the period 2000 to 2009 motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of death among our young people aged 15-24 years and was the second leading cause of death for those aged 25-44 years. The Ministry of Health is currently developing a draft national strategy and plan of action for the Decade of Road Safety with assistance from the Pan American Health Organization and Ross University for presentation to Cabinet. The plan has adapted the plan of action recommended by World Health Organization. This will include: road safety management, safer roads and mobility, safer vehicles, safer road users and post crash response.
Activities organized to mark the occasion include an address by His Excellency President Nicholas Liverpool and public awareness items through print and electronic media. The launch of the National strategy and plan of action for the Decade of Road Safety targeting young people is planned for September this year.
The public is advised to pay attention to all traffic rules. Young people in particular are advised to exercise caution on the road and to drive responsibly at all times
Telling young people to exercise caution is commendable a statement to make but as far as i see it, young ppl are meant to make mistakes. If there are no consequences to ones actions then what the H#LL. We in authority SHOULD:
make the roads safer by introducing traffic lights in key areas.
Lighting of roads also help.
Mark the roads and erect street signs which are visible to motorists.
Police officers should be actively patrolling, looking out for expired tags, worn tires, reckless drivers etc.
Equipping the police with a tow truck is not a bad idea. (think about it)
Our roads are getting a face lift but our attitudes are not, we need to modify our attitudes also.
Leading cause of death amoung the youth : Traffic accidents!! now come on, if that is not a good enough reason to do something then what is?
please we are building roads with no light still the same old bend when it can go straight no rail gaurd some have no proper drainage.All these are part of safety..
While all of these action plans are very good they serve no purpose if we continue to turn a blind eye to whats happening on our roads. First lets get rid of all the old traffic regulations and replace them with laws that reflect our present and future needs. The traffic department must be completely reorganised to accommodate our needs with a data base of all licence drivers in the country. There must be more patrols on our roads. Enforcement of all traffic laws including, seat belt, speed limit. driving under the influence (drunk), execessively tinted windows, and lastly people sitting in the backs of pick-up trucks. No parking signs, keep clear signs etc have to be enforced, not to mention buses stopping at non designated spots. LETS STOPTALKING AND ACT TO SAVE LIVES AND MAKE OUR ROADS SAFER.
Dominica should embrace the effort being implied by the ‘WHO’ and its stratisgic plan to introducing Roadsafety.
As a leading consultant in Road Traffic Accident investigation(RTA),I have attend to many fatalities mainly caused by drivers error-simple yet common,lack of attetion to the safety to their vehicles can often be the primary cause. Some skimping and neglect can run the risk so high if measures are not reinforce as law.
Some 2 years ago i had been involved to investigate a 5 car pile up(a jam).The result was shocking which revealead due to poorly maintained vehicle, having defected tyres,steering and brake components which failed my investigation. The court made judgement to Driver which is now imprisoned for 6yrs (which was not enough) for the fatality caused..
In some instances the Government lack of funding towards poorly maintained roads are some 85% contributable to the cause. For example-
.Unfilled portholes.
-Ueven roads.
-Lack of signages especially at bends.
-Lack of warning reflector lamps at accdent prone spots.
-so on and on
My expert advise would be all Road traffic vehicles, license to carry passgers either private or hired should undergo a strict test such as an MOT(Ministry of Transport) prior to tax and insurance and should be on a Data Base for 6 months and contacted by MOT towo before expiry.
An MOT Test will determine if the vehicle is suited for pupose and all its mechanics are in safe condition before issuing a pass certificate.Without the certificate, The insurance/licensing company should refuse cover on the vehicle.The test certificate should run for 6 months,meaning that the registered keeper have to get the vehichle Re-MOT for another 6 months to keeping it legal and safe on the road.
I trust my contribution towards safety will be taken on board and welcome your concerns and not critiques.
Why not impliment legislation to recognize the importance of road safety. For example DWT (driving while tealking or texting) ban; Enforce drinking and driving legislation; Specia license and mandatory annual training for passenger vehicle operators. Based on what I know I would even consider random drug and alchol test for these crazy bus drivers .