The Tribune

By Morgan Adderley

MINISTER of Transport and Local Government Frankie Campbell is urging motorists and pedestrians to practice road safety this holiday period, reminding the public to adhere to the speed limit and wear seat belts.

Yesterday morning, members of the Road Safety Committee, Road Traffic Department and ministry officials joined him on Bay Street and distributed flyers on the importance of road safety to motorists.

This initiative follows what has been a particularly deadly month for motorists. Six people were killed in traffic accidents during the first weekend of December alone. From December 8-11 two more youths died in traffic accidents.

Mr Campbell said: “As the minister, I am not satisfied with the fatality count of this year. And I’m not even sure what it is. I’m not concerned about numbers. I’m satisfied that any one person that dies, a number of persons hurt.

“And then there is the side of the accidents that we don’t see — the persons who don’t die, but have lifelong disabilities which result in a poor quality of life for them and the persons who have to care for them.

“And so we want to spread the message, more particularly at this time, but not just for this time of the year, throughout the year. We want everyone to know that they have a role to play.”

He added: “Pedestrians in particular, we’d be surprised to know how many accidents are actually caused by pedestrians who would just dart across the street without looking, and then drivers have to attempt to take evasive action and maybe hit someone or something that had nothing to do with the incident.

“If everyone plays their role, if everyone stays in their lane, if everyone observes the speed limits, observe the traffic signals, I believe we’ll have not just a safe Christmas, but we’d have a safe year, that is as accident-free as possible. So that is my hope as we end this year and go into the New Year.”

When asked by reporters about the pervasive criticism the public often has concerning bus and taxi drivers, Mr Campbell said the belief that they are collectively problematic is a “myth”.

He said: “I’m a firm believer that there is good in the worst of us, and some bad in the best of us. And so, as a collective, public service drivers (have) a reputation. But I’m sure that it’s not all of them.

“And I believe if they have an appreciation for the fact that I know that it is a small handful, and if I ask those who are doing the right thing to join in with me, then they can help me to sensitize their colleagues and their comrades.

“At the end of the day, we can get a greater percentage of them adhering and maybe someday we can actually change that myth, that all public service drivers are reckless, et cetera. I don’t believe it, and for the percentage that are, I’m appealing to them to help me change that myth.”

Mr Campbell also encouraged motorists to practice good habits such as obeying the speed limit and having passengers, especially children, properly secured in vehicles.

“When working within the confines of the speed limit, there is sufficient time to react if somebody else does something. But the faster you’re going, the less time you have to react. So that is one of the contributing factors.

“I see a lot of people with young kids (who) are not buckled up. I stopped a lady the other day and I asked her…’Miss, did you borrow this kid?’ And she seemed puzzled by the question. But my position was, if this is your kid that you love and you’re concerned about, you ought to want him to be safe.”

Mr Campbell reminded everyone that as they’re celebrating this season, to do so with a “sense of responsibility”.

His remarks echo those of Senior Assistant of Commissioner Police Stephen Dean, who noted earlier in December that speed is a “common trend” in traffic fatalities.

In July, Mr Campbell said that it is “vital” that the government “continue to focus on road safety.” He also encouraged people to avoid texting while driving, which he said is “far too prevalent” in Bahamian society and the possibility exists for the introduction of legislation against texting while driving sometime in the future.