The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune. The commissioner of police recently presented his yearly report to the press. The report stated that there have been 276 traffic fatalities in the Bahamas over the last six years. This is an average of 46 fatalities per year. This is way too high and is a senseless loss of life. Bahamians collectively are not the best law abiding drivers in the world. Just park on the side of the road during a busy school morning near a traffic light and observe the flow of traffic. I am 100 per cent sure you would be amazed at the total disregard that motorists have for our traffic laws. All motorists should know that when the light turns yellow, you are supposed to slow down, but we without fear, accelerate our speed and eventually run the red light. This action may seem small, but these acts become chronic and they eventually lead to traffic accidents which are sometimes fatal. New Providence is an island that is 21x7 square miles and we are severely overpopulated with vehicular traffic. Additionally, our roads are not built for speed because they are short, and almost always have lots of traffic on them, including pedestrians. I know the road works are continuing, but if you give yourself a 90-minute head start you should be able to get to your destination safely on time. If 90 minutes isn't enough time, then leave home earlier. The potential risk of danger through speeding is not worth you getting to work on time or five minutes early. There are no I-95s in New Providence or a turnpike, where drivers are exposed to high speeds for long periods. Driving at accelerated speeds is dangerous, unnecessary and quite frankly an act of carelessness. When you speed, a few seconds later you have to slow down again because an intersection or a stop sign will be right in front of you. Despite the Police Force Traffic Division's continuous campaigns asking the motoring public to slow down, these calls continue to fall on deaf ears. The police assert that speed plays a significant role in traffic fatalities. Slow down before it is too late. The victims of traffic accidents are sometimes left devastated from their injuries. I have known of persons who lost a limb, were in a coma and are paralyzed even to this day. The families are devastated as well because sometimes the injured victim is the bread winner of the family and the children and the spouses suffer the loss of economic stability. These are real issues Bahamians; but they are completely avoidable. When you speed, remember that your vehicle can cause the same damage as the firing of a gun. Please slow down Bahamians... and live! DEHAVILLAND MOSS Nassau, January 8, 2012.