Garth Rattray
I WAS able to peruse the road safety survey presented by Dr. Ernest Pate (PAHO/WHO representative), thanks to the kindness and efficiency of Mrs. Ana Solis-Ortega Treasure of the Pan American Health Organi-sation (PAHO) here in Jamaica.
The survey is a report on and analysis of islandwide interviews of licensed male drivers. Titled the 'KAPB Survey of Male Drivers in Jamaica,' (KAPB means knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and beliefs), it aimed to "Highlight the current practices and knowledge of Jamaican male drivers" and to "Utilise findings for the development of interventions geared at reducing the number of road traffic collisions."
FINDINGS
I want to underscore here that the study found that "11 per cent of (male) drivers have obtained their license by means other than taking the test at the depot" and that, "48 per cent of these did so in the last 10 years." However, because of the way that people drive on our roads, I feel confident that the total number of persons (males and females) that obtain their driver's licence illegally significantly surpasses that 11 per cent figure.
Based on the findings of the study, the report set out a brief list of recommendations, a wish list of sorts: (1) "Enforce mandatory testing for drivers licence/encourage professional instruction; (2) Look at repeat offenders as special high-risk group and target interventions; (3) Enforce the breath test/upgrade test to reflect best practices; (4) Improve enforcement of seatbelt use and speed limit regulations; and, (5) Target public education campaign to at risk groups (young people in particular)."
In addition to the recommendations listed above, I have a few long-standing wishes of my own:
WISHES
I wish that the Government would come to accept that laws and threats of prosecution mean little and that the only way to stamp out corrupt practices in the traffic arena is to stage elaborate, widespread and sustained sting operations.
I wish that we had larger stop signs with iridescent supporting poles and bright white stop bars in the road. I wish for highly visible, well-maintained, bold road lines and markings and glow-in-the-dark medians. I wish for speedy pothole repairs, frequently -repeated speed-limit signs, well-marked and brightly lit pedestrian crossings.
I wish that there were far more police vehicles driving with the traffic to deter and prosecute violators. People drive much more slowly and carefully when they see the police. And, since the police are not ubiquitous, I wish for duly empowered civilian observers to report dangerous driving and other violations.
I wish that the Government would de-emphasise exorbitant traffic fines and the towing of vehicles for moving violations and, instead, subject traffic offenders to traffic school. (This may be the only time that some will learn anything about the road code.) Huge fines and confiscations facilitate corruption (the single greatest danger to our lives) and thriving businesses for unscrupulous public servants.
I wish for comprehensive core-subject driver's education or 'use-of-the-road' classes in schools at every grade because at some point in time and at some level, everyone will venture onto the road as a pedestrian, motor vehicle operator, motor-cyclist, pedal-cyclist, donkey, mule or hand-cart operator.
I wish that the powers that be would employ the same vigilance to motorbike riders without safety helmets and adults and children in the open back of pickups as they do to the seatbelt rules for passengers inside motor vehicles.
And finally, I wish that this administration would seriously consider some of these proposals, in order to save lives on our roads.
Dr. Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice
