Or is it dangerous drivers? Seven major traffic accidents – three separate road fatalities – in less than a week? Frightening! Many point fingers at the controversial visit of the Jamaican singer Alkaline. They fear his coming has unleashed legions of demons prowling the land like lions seeking whom to devour.
Such conventional wisdom absolves us of making critical updates to archaic traffic regulations. A more scientific reason is that our traffic system is struggling to cope with the massive upsurge of vehicles on island.
Yeah, yeah. We’ve all heard visitors gosh over our island’s spectacular beauty, only, in the same breath, to malign the stomach-turning, hair-pin curves at the edges of precipices. Dominica’s topography is mountainous. Deal with it. The fact is our roads have much improved with time and those who relocate quickly here adjust to their new driving environment. Therefore, the roads themselves cannot be the problem as much as it is surly and ill-disciplined drivers putting lives of others at risk.
Inconsiderate
BRAM! BRAM! A deafening motorcycle near Lindo Park almost ran my Rav off the road. Shaken, I just managed to catch a glimpse of the brazen male and female on the bike: a strapping bearded fellah – and presumably his 2 year-old daughter on his lap, her tiny hands also grabbing to the handlebars!
What the… !
This is just but one example of our wild, wild ways on the roads. Upcoming Road Safety week is likely to be heavy on platitudes without any call for substantive legislative remedies for our current maladies. We need to look no further afield than Trinidad & Tobago for guidance. Their 2014 Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Bill outlaws new drivers and young drivers from driving between midnight and 5 am. It prohibits open containers of alcohol within the driving compartment and restricts them to the trunk. Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers. Little people must be secured in appropriate child or infant seats.
Meanwhile, senior officers for the Dominica’s Traffic Division reveal that our Vehicle and Road Safety Act of 1993 provides for fines of $250 and two weeks in prison for seat belt violations. Forgive me if I misunderstood, but no one has been prosecuted in recent memory. The Act provides for alcohol testing of breath, but the Force is not equipped with breathalyzers. There are speed limits for driving and outside city limits, but the Force is not equipped with radar speed guns. When last did you see a speeding ticket given? Is something wrong with this picture?
Do the math from the above time frames and one has to conclude that we are at least 20 years behind time. International travelers attest that when it comes to traffic regulations, countries basically fall into two camps. There are law-and-order countries with globally standardized traffic regulations and reasonable efforts at enforcement. Then there are the rest with laws on the books, but where in reality just about anything goes. Which camp do we want Dominica to be in?
The Force is with us
Just this past week I stopped my vehicle on a keep clear zone to quickly carry some load into the office. A plain-clothes gentleman sternly announced, “You cannot park in a ‘Keep Clear’ zone.”
I explained my intentions. He firmly repeated the warning. The manner in which he did so and his personal bearing left no doubt in my mind that he was an officer of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force. I was respectful to the man. I realized at I was being lazy: more interested in my own convenience than abiding with the spirit of the law. So complied – and afterward I felt good about it.
For the most part, the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force is a professional organization of men and women dedicated to secure our safety and good order. In my experience, they are more than willing and able to perform their duties. Too many statutes in Dominica are decades outdated. When it comes to legislatures worldwide, one cannot prevent posturing, circus antics and lots of hot air. However, at the end of the day, Parliament must do its job. It is past time to provide officers the enabling legislative environment and equipment necessary to do theirs. For Christ’s sake, how much does a handful of radar guns and breathalyzers cost? Dominicans in the Diaspora could source this in a heartbeat by contacting Chief of Police.
It is nonsense blaming Alkaline for the recent carnage on our roads. Instead, unleash our traffic officers and we are bound to see predictable and significant reductions in the mayhem and mortality. Let us commit to doing right by complying internationally accepted traffic norms. Let us place Dominica squarely in law-and-order camp. The life we save is likely to be someone we know quite well.
Click here for informative video on international seat belt campaigns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFX9kQweHZ4
Dr. Sam Christian is surgeon who runs the Urgent Care on 137 Bath Road. It offers quick medical care, office surgery, acupuncture and microdermabrasion. He is Medical Adviser to the Dominica Cancer Society and author of the faith and fitness nutrition book, ‘Mannafast Miracle.’ As Medical Officer for the Cadet Corps, organizes the campaign to make Dominica the Top Lifesaver Country (TLC). Dr. Christian can be reached at 440-9133 or by logging on the Urgent Care website http://urgentcareda.weebly.com/
Well, in regards to Dominica’s road and drivers, it is high time that an assessment be made of all things concerning driving in Dominica.
We are so last century with our sense of road transportation and regulation it is bordering on pathetic.
The country needs a complete over haul in this regard. When I hear of moves to that effect, I will make some suggestions as to how the island can benefit from technology and best practices from developed countries.
Doctor Christian has hit the mark once more with a great article. His profound observatiion is that we – both Government and people – must eradicate the culture of lawlessness which pervades the land and is now felt on our roads. How many more must die because oiur people learn to slow down, practice road courtesy, stop being uncouth toward fellow drivers and pedestrians, use their seat belts and obey the speeding laws. I recomment this article to the AG and the PM and his cabinet. May the opposition also support Doctor Christian in this cause. I recommend that his article be commended for stating that we must enforce:
1. Speed laws enforced by Speed trap- set up speed traps with radar guns. First offence $250; second offence $500; third offence, one year suspended license for 180 days and $1000 fine; fourth offence one month in jail, $2000 fine and 100 hours community service cleaning the roads.
2. Seat Belt use mandatory
3. Drunk Driving Check Points on weekends, and…
Very great article indeed with a hefty plate of food for thought. Our vehicle drivers, motorcycle and bicycle riders should be much more careful when driving on the roads. We see it every day and even make comments all the time. Commonsense (which is not so common anymore) should let one know that there are places that you just don’t overtake. Many of the recent accidents are just manifestations of excessive reckless and careless driving habits practiced by drivers and riders continuously.
Hats of to you Dr. Sam for taking the time to tackle such a relevant and timely subject. Lets begin the discussion and dialog with the hope that it will bear fruit and that we can find solutions to this growing problem on our roads.
‘It is nonsense blaming Alkaline for the recent carnage on our roads. Instead, unleash our traffic officers and we are bound to see predictable and significant reductions in the mayhem and mortality. Let us commit to doing right by complying internationally accepted traffic norms. Let us place Dominica squarely in law-and-order camp. The life we save is likely to be someone we know quite well.’
Thank you, sir, for bringing up this obvious but critical point. Great article overall. I hope they take heed.
Dr. Christian, you are 100% correct. The Dominica police force is iill-equipped.How sad in this technological age. Shame on the Government. They are too busy putting money in their pocket.
Superb article well done Dr. Sam. I decided to do a count on drivers heading north yesterday; out of one hundred vehicles that passed one yes only one driver had on a seat belt and believe you me that person was learning to drive so it must have been a requirement from the driving school. 20 people were using the cell phone while driving. I saw about five people eating something while driving and six persons (mostly young) men having a cup or a plastic glass in their hand presumably with alcohol; passed a couple bikers without protective gear and one or two female drivers with a beer in hand. I did not see not one traffic patrol on the streets and so I will not be surprised if no arrest were made for such offences – So I agree with Dr. Sam anything goes in Dominica some of us are just a bunch of ill-disciplined people. we see offences being committed in broad day light and police are unperturbed as they pass straight.
When I first visited Dominica, the very first thing I noticed when driving from the airport is the fact that many people do not wear seatbelts. I was then told that it’s the law but there is no enforcement. I wear my seatbelt whenever I’m driving and not because it’s the law…I wear it in order to protect myself. A guy I knew of died recently when his bus crashed and he was thrown through the windshield…
I am not sure you could have police officers at enough locations on the island to enforce behavior which would reduce the wrecklessness with which Dominicans drive. And the problem with more and better legislation (welcome though it would be) is that you need officers to enforce it. So… I think that at least part of the solution lise in more technology. Cameras are required in strategic locations (like under the Canefied cliff and north of Potersville). Numerous speed bumps need to be erected in places like Coulibistri , the Castle Bruce srtrech and the Indian River). A few width restrictions in villages that are driven thrugh (like the Kalinago Territory and Calibishie). We complain about the narrowness of roads in Mahaut , but the fact that we are forced to drive slowly through there is actully a good thing. Legislation yes .. but we should also look at the engineering solutions.
Dominica is maybe the only country without traffic lights. I was amazed when i visited Barbados and saw everyone crossing at the same time because the light instructed them too. Dominica has no rules!
Perfect article Doc!!! How Much really does it cost to get the necessities required to help towards saving a life and preventing such freak accidents.
This is a very good article. I find it terrifying in Roseau with the young men on their motor scooters and motor bikes! They weave in and out of the traffic coming to pass often on the inside of the vehicle rather than the outside. You just suddenly hear a buzz and there they are! Do these young men not take any road test, it does not look like it! The young people seem to drive vehicles, scooters and motor bikes at full speed and they are often the one’s who cause the accidents because they lose control of their vehicle. It is innocent drivers who often get hurt. The police have to start taking control of these dangerous drivers or a lot more accidents are going to happen. It is very scary. I feel very sad for those injured in the last week.
Very great article. You all gonna blame alkaline for accidents in Dominica? Lol that’s so ridiculous.
The problem is that Dominica on a whole is very much too backward. Get with the present times, put light where needed put stop sign where needed. Traffic police under the cliff an other areas with the equipment needed to do their job.
Ridiculous with you ppl in that place.
Traffic rules are to be practiced and respected every time you drive,driving is not only for yourself but for others also,,,nonetheless it is often the case that after the driving license test ,once you have the license in hand for a large percentage of the population all hell break loose…dominica is too small to have so many fatal accidents in such a short space of time..proper traffic signs are missing all over the island,,,in the village of soufriere there is a well known woman who drives from the main bus stop down the road i personally saw the vehicle but could not say who was the driver,i as so surprised to see such a speed in a little village ,speed limit should be placed in all villages ,bumps or( sleeping police)in order to decrease on the fatalities ,don’t forget that the elderly ,handicaps and very young children are also on the roads and needs to be safe…
No need to go to jail for a parking or speeding
ticket. The fine is $250 give them one month
to pay, if they don’t then double the fine.
I support all that you have stated above. I would like to suggest that perhaps you could make a donation of some breathalyzers/radar guns to the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Service.
this is such a powerful article. I am often perturbed when I see how careless we a’re as a people and how nonchalant our police officers can be. I just find us to be so lackadaisical about important things. and the ignorance that it is wrapped up with is even more disturbing. You still hear people “where you think u be nah overseas man you wearing seatbelt”
This is what happens when you invite Lucifer into your home.
A ham batter your head man…what foolishness you talking about.
This is another area of Dominican society with which I become increasingly frustrated, the country’s governance or lack there of is it’s own worst enemy.
First let me say this is a very well written observational piece Doc, and while it clearly describes what Dominicans experience, bear witness to and participate in on an almost daily basis, not a single comment posted since the item appeared on May 2nd, that in is self is very telling and come back to my point of our worst enemy.
You noted that the DPF is for the most part is a very professional organisation, however their work is hindered by decades of outdated, unenforced and under resourced laws that cause them to turn a blind eye to many societal ills which are well within their mandate to address and redress. Which brings me to the point that Dominicans chose (at the Polls) a governing administration who has demonstrated time and time and time again that the development safety and well being of the people is NOT…
As a news reporter who have been reporting on these upsurge of accidents, I fully endorse this article by Dr. Christian, who hit the nail on its head from START to END!!! I just hope the necessary authorities will read this article and take the necessary ACTION to effect CHANGE!!!
well put sir
i commend you on statements written
The police presence makes a difference in the curbing of crime and violence out there. As citizens however we need not act like the police has to be at our backs as slave drivers for us to obey traffic laws, and to act responsible.
I see drivers overtaking on the left side of the road, especially bus drivers, motocyclists driving on the opposite side of the road, which is utterly rediculous, and i ask myself what has this country come to: a lawless nation.
So whereas the “Alkaline” may not be responsible for the mayhem and mortality, we need to safe guide ourselves in regards to our associations; they may just lead us down a slippery slope. The up coming generations need a legacy of law and order to pattern after, and we need not have to explain to them our down fall and inevitable demise.
Well said; lets see how many people comment
Demons? How stupid are Dominicans?
The clarion call
Doc, perhaps you can initiate the process by using your network to contact the Diaspora to buy the radar guns and breathalyzers and establish a bank account in Dominica for collecting money for that purpose . I am willing to make a monetary contribution. We can aim to buy 20 of each for distribution to the police stations throughout the country.
the Labour party will block him because he is not one of them just like they blocking the development of the Lindo Park project a project intended to protect life and property. Look where they put a children play ground in FondCole close to the port and public works with no fencing etc. In fact that project did not get planning approval but is on Lugay case they on – those people have no idea what people development is – they breathe, sleep, and sh…t politics and Dominica suffers as a result. SHAME!
Thank you Dr. Christian! Let’s hope that common sense prevails.
Heard the Alkaline comment and all I have to say is….LMAO…I’m no Alkaline fan but people must be stuck in some state of religious stupidity to think that’s what’s going on. A kid with contacts, bleached skin and makes songs about raunchy sex caused all dat to happen?hahaha, nope!…meanwhile, no one makes mention of the liars, cheaters, thieves and corrupt individuals walking the streets of D/a?
All this is coincidence, when it rains it pours. People need to stop with the fantasy crap.
Dr. Christian,
I support you 110 %. You have highlighted everything that the police/traffic department and the legislators have failed to see.
You wrote, “International travelers attest that when it comes to traffic regulations, countries basically fall into two camps. There are law-and-order countries with globally standardized traffic regulations and reasonable efforts at enforcement. Then there are the rest with laws on the books, but where in reality just about anything goes. Which camp do we want Dominica to be in?”. Well clearly Dominica falls among the rest with laws on the books, but in reality just about anything goes. Can you imagine a country where people drive at breakneck speeds but no one receives speeding tickets?
Excellent article, though I think you needed to remain on the point of laws without adequate enforcement. This is pretty much the same problem causing the insane rates of child sexual abuse on our island. Our laws say one thing, but we turn a blind eye to all the measures that need to be in place to execute those laws properly.
The persons responsible for ENFORCING the law, from police to investigator to judge, provide a half-@$$ed job b/c they are not held accountable. Shouldn’t someone on the police force demand breakthalyzers, for example?
We see money being given to village councils, for roads, etc. which is fine…but is it the priority when critical areas that affect life and death are left neglected? When the PM said “no law no constitution” would stop him, was that a prompt to everyone in government to ignore the laws and the resources needed to implement them? Ultimately, if there is no accountability what exactly do we expect to acheive? who gets fired for a job…
I couldn’t have said it better doc!
Dangerous drivers full stop. I classify ppl who drive dangerous vehicles knowingly as dangerous drivers too. Over and over we see drivers refusing to stop at stop signs. including drivers of dumper trucks becoz they know they’re on the safer end. By God’s grace there are not more accidents. We live in a country with hills, yet ppl not bothered to check breaks, roads that are narrow and we know are 2 way, yet people go round bends full speed, like is they alone. there’s those who will knock you if you don’t move yourself or your car onto the banks (whatever they are called) of the road, cause they will not go down, or slow down for you. Then we have those who drink and drive, and accidents on a holiday are not new. Speed speed speed, to go where? To heaven (or hell)? And what about the motorcyclists who just cannot control the bike. And then the bus drivers who I am surprised are not in any accidents in the news today. These are there roads we have, use appropriately!
Well said. I hope someone listens
…and the thing is most accidents are NOT caused by drivers who are comparatively young in age. I think quite a bit of mostly male drivers are careless in their driving. I mean a bus loaded with passengers overtaking another bus loaded with passengers. I’ve even seen vehicles included – yes another bus loaded with passengers – overtaking the ambulance on duty….SMH.
The religious fanatics on this island will never believe the common sense you just explained to them.
The question is if seat belts are always safe
Very good article we’ll written and on point
A greater police presence may greatly reduce the amount of accidents on the road.
My condolences and prayers are with the families dealing with the aftermath of these horrific traffic accidents. To my fellow Dominicans….take it easy on the road…you are too precious.
Praying for traveling mercy daily.
excellent article! we need speed cameras, breathalyzers and traffic cops. people should also drive carefully!
Not will is while
Applause (clap, clap, clap). I pray that those in authoritative position will read this article and do what is necessary.
…and that motorists will take heed.
Today is a holiday. Drivers drive safely, consider your passengers, the pedestrians and the other drivers on the roads.
May God be with us!
Is not alkaline, is dem evangelist/Christains, Dat praying 4 Dat to happen, so we can blame alkaline. They vex Skerrit doe side wit dem, an tell dem go an pray.Them accidents we seeing Der, their evil works in de making. Respect alkaline, well played. even doe dem police was under de Canefield clif trying to tie up bikers 4 no reason. Now they want to enforce de traffic law, at after 12 in de night will a concert going on.Alu is a set of clowns in Dat force.stop wait 4 things to happen to act in de country
true!!!!! stop blame the roads and the pm…blame yourself/our-self
Dominican people don’t respect the road neither pedestrians nor drivers, NICE road and yet people crashing, because people don’t respect the road, most times drivers from behind coming speeding up toy our rear end instead of coming to a slow stop, it’s like this gas brakes gas breaks, nothing like gas slow down slow downs top is gas breaks…
Tarreau and underneath the Canefield Cliff has been treacherous since the 1970s. It would require thousands of words to list all the accidents and fatalities in these two areas.
As Dr. Christian stated in his article, cost is not a prohibiting factor in addressing this issue. In the grand scheme of things, Traffic safety is low on the scale of importance in Dominica.
We can start with an aggressive public service campaign in both English and Creole on all local media on the island.
Traffic Officers should be patrolling these areas during rush hour/peak travel. They have motor cycles now, so there’s no more excuses about lack of transportation and how it hinders them from carrying out their duties.
Probably Admin. needs to ask the Traffic Department if they have any plans to help address this issue and then report back to the masses on their findings.
This was a thought provoking article by Dr. Christian. Dominica’s conservative nature and unwillingness to adopt new problem-solving methods to address old issues continues to be a major stumbling block for the island.
The capability and willingness to make the necessary legal changes is in abundance, however the willingness to effectively carry out these changes is seriously wanting. It’s refreshing to hear from a medical professional on the island concerning traffic regulations.
It would also be welcoming to hear from the Ministry of Communication and Works, their Civil Engineers and the Traffic Department on this issue. The Dominica State College would also be a welcomed addition to the debate as well. Collaborating with the Traffic Department and offering up driver safety courses is urgently required.
For now, we should embrace Dr. Christian’s voice and expertise and hope that others will join him, offer their advise and address this issue. We cannot continue at…
Police drinking when they on the job and are just as guilty of breaking the law. I am not making this up. Scientific and Dominica cannot be used in same sentence. Backwards ever fowar never should be written on the state seal.
Shaka that’s my problem exactly. We pay lip service to this issue. My 8 year old cousin puts on her seat belt each time she enters a vehicle. The goal is to encourage everyone to participate in their own safety while utilizing our roads.