The Tribune

MINISTER of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin said at the launch of Road Safety Month that the month’s activities are designed to bring a focus to the “terrible public health issue” of people dying in road-traffic accidents or suffering severe, life-altering injuries, such as paraplegia, brain injuries and permanent maiming.

“These deaths and severe injuries lead to, oftentimes, huge demands on the public health system and the abrupt loss or diminution of human productivity all of which has a domino effect on families and the national economy,” Mrs Hanna-Martin said.

Also present at the launch were Minister of State Hope Strachan and members of the multi-agency committee incorporating governmental and non-governmental agencies who worked on the initiative.

Agencies represented in the committee include the Road Traffic Department, the Transportation and Policy Unit, the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Road Traffic Division, the Ministries of Works and Urban Development, Health and Education.

Minister Hanna-Martin said they are “very encouraged” that this year they have the added dimension of a creative public education programme titled “Draw The Line”.

This creative intervention, she noted, is intended to supplement the existing initiatives of Road Safety Month.

“Some of the best creative minds in this field in our country decided to volunteer their time and talent to make this promotion a reality, namely, Elton Moxey, Kenny Mackey, Farreno Ferguson, Shantz Collymore, Megan Minus, Sharad Lightbourn and Burton Wallace,” Mrs Hanna-Martin said.

She added that the reach of the campaign was even further extended when a host of other media professionals decided to join in, including The Tribune Network, Jones Communications, The Nassau Guardian, More FM, the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas, Gems FM, Kemis Alerts and Cable 12.

“This is a very fortifying component in our efforts to confront what has become a serious public health issue, not only in The Bahamas, but globally,” she said.

Mrs Hanna-Martin said that 46 persons, mostly young men and women, “otherwise healthy citizens”, have died on Bahamian streets so far this year.

“These deaths have created a rippling pool of pain throughout our communities and the regrettable loss of vast human potential to our nation’s growth and development,” she said.

Mrs Hanna-Martin noted that 90 per cent of road traffic fatalities are caused by human error.

She pointed to behaviour such as: speeding, which can lead to loss of control of the vehicle; overtaking in very dangerous and highly risky circumstances; lack of proper focus brought on by distractions such as cell-phone conversations, texting or other activities; and driving with heightened alcohol levels in the blood stream, impairing judgment and decision making, and leading to bullying with vehicles on the streets.

“Further, it has been established that use of a seat-belt greatly enhances your chances of surviving a road crash or avoiding more serious injury,” Mrs Hanna-Martin said.

She said it is important to also note that experience has shown that a passenger not wearing a seat-belt in a vehicle can amount to a deadly missile, potentially seriously injuring other passengers or being catapulted from the vehicle.

“Both driver and passengers must use seat-belts,” Minister Hanna-Martin said. “It is also clearly established that for motorcyclists the use of a helmet reduces the risk of severe skull and brain injuries in the event of an accident.”

She added that throughout the month, traffic officials wish to also bring a special focus to the protection of children in vehicles.

“Almost routinely in this country, loving parents are seen with small children planted in their laps, or children standing up in the vehicle or hanging out of car windows,” Mrs Hanna-Martin said. “All of these scenarios leave children unsecured and highly vulnerable – in short, potential tragic disasters waiting to happen.

“Parents must adequately secure their children in vehicles either with car seats or seat-belts, as is appropriate for size and age.”

Mrs Hanna-Martin said that it is in every road user’s interest to be defensive in their use of the road, so as to avoid, so far as possible, becoming a victim to a dangerous or negligent road user.

“When driving on our streets you have to be focused and alert,” she said. “You have to have your wits about you.”

Mrs Hanna-Martin said the government is “poised” to soon undertake a review of the Road Traffic Act.

One of the matters of focus will be the issue of violations of traffic laws, she added, including killing in the course of dangerous driving, oftentimes referred to as vehicular manslaughter.

“Additionally we will be seeking to implement new standards for driving schools and will review the examination process for driver’s licensing,” she said.

Mrs Hanna Martin said the launch, which officially took place yesterday with Minister of State Hope Strachan and other committee members on the morning show “Bahamas at Sunrise”, will not be a one-month activity, but the beginning of a sustained public education effort, undertaken in collaboration with the enforcement efforts of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

“It is our goal and objective to drastically reduce the number of traffic fatalities in the Bahamas,” she said.

“We call on all Bahamians to join in this national effort to cause our streets to become safe and civil: To draw the line.”