The President of the National Council on Public Transportation (NCOPT), Godfrey Ferdinand, has advocated stricter enforcement of road traffic regulations to improve road safety.
Ferdinand said it was important for motorists to adhere to the law, observe speed limits, not drink or be under the influence of drugs when driving, and ensure their vehicles are road-worthy.
However, the NCOPT President told St. Lucia Times that the authorities need to provide brethalysers, speed guns, and other devices to the police to help them ensure driver compliance.
He said the government also needs to ensure proper street lighting and signage.
In addition, Ferdinand called for more highway patrols.
“As long as you leave people unattended or unsupervised, they will do what they are not supposed to do – not the majority, but they will cause accidents,” the NCOPT official asserted.
Ferdinand declared that should the authorities provide the police with the necessary equipment and officers do their jobs well, people would be more cautious on the roads and improve road safety.
The NCOPT President felt a police presence would deter individuals from breaking the law.
“If you are driving from Castries to Vieux Fort and the likelihood of you being stopped for speeding is zero, what do you think would happen on the road?” He asked.
Ferdinand recalled that the NCOPT had been speaking of the need for speed guns, breathalysers, and other equipment for the police for the past fifteen years.
“How much will it cost the authorities to buy speed guns and brethalysers? Do you know the number of individuals who have lost their lives because of drunk driving? Persons injured because of drunk driving?” He stated.
Well If most times the police officers are under the influence of alcohol whiles driving I guess the public thinks it’s ok for them to do the same ? Or should I say “Monkey see Monkey do”
Supervised or unsupervised, some drivers will always be irresponsible. That accident, with the truck, was completely avoidable. Police and the long arm of the law will never be able to make idiots responsible.
Mr. Ferdinand is correct. What “de authorities” fail to understand, beside the safety factor, the tools are also a financial investment. They are sure to turn a profit once the equipment is properly maintained. Is anyone looking forward in areas that are very obvious? The concepts of deterrence and safety are light years away. Officials talk the talk, unfortunately what they do is different.
Hardly a month goes by, without the police and some ministry urging caution on the roads. After decades of repeating the same thing, and no one is listening, one would think that they would wisen up. Alas! This is all in keeping with the culture of mere talk.
I have been saying that all along to solve this problem the answer is enforcement enforcement and more enforcement and believe problem solved
godfrey as much as I am on your side I will stop you right there why should we ensure that our vehicles are road-worthy when the roads it self are not even vehicle worthy? its these damn roads the Government refuse to fix and maintain on a timely basis that is making our vehicles not road worthy every week you have to buy a part and it is how expensive cause these kabwits go and put 2.5 leavy on things
Godfrey, your mini bus drivers are responsible for ABOUT 80% of the accidents in St. Lucia. When they are charged by the police, people like you come as their defence. So Godfrey keep quiet.