The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

The most mysterious phenomena of all times is the proliferation and saturation of the use of cellphones. Everyone has several, children as early as 2 years are playing games on the cellphone. iPad or kindle.

We have become a slave to the phone, paralysing us from being able to function without it.

When people are texting, the whole world could come to an end, they would not raise their head until they are finished. A pedestrian was almost hit by a speeding bus because she refuse to discontinue steering on her cell while crossing the street, and texting.

People are even risking their jobs by using the phone, where they should be giving and honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay. They are frantic, if they are not allowed to use it, giving family concerns as an excuse why they should have it on them at all times.

More progressive establishments completely restrict staff from using cellphones on duty time, of course break time and lunch are permissible.

But the most dangerous use of cellphones is while driving and the police is either oblivious, don’t care or cannot see the seriousness of the consequences. Too many accidents or near accidents putting lives and innocent children at risk are happening all too often.

The laws are not strong enough or the police just are not vigilant enough to enforce it to prevent lives from being lost.

It is time for the laws to be stiffened to prevent or deter anyone from attempting to use a phone while driving. Bus drivers filled to capacity are using their phones texting. This cannot be right.

The seriousness probably would not be realised until someone is killed or a bus crashes endangering the lives of many.

Since lives are invaluable, there is no reason why the fine for the infraction could not be raised to $5,000 for anyone caught texting while driving. No explanation should be accepted because it is dangerous. I know the suggested fine is lenient, but I am sure the message would be received better.

Deviating slightly, the police must get serious about monitoring the wanton behaviour of bus drivers who simply do as they wish. They overtake and undertake anywhere, drive on the sidewalk, in people’s yards, take shortcuts across parking lots, go off their route and disobey the rules of the road stopping on corners and hills blocking other motorists and creating another lane where non existed. When is the law going to begin to be administered on the roads?

Sadly, some of the passengers on the bus many times are police officers who could care less. The slackness must stop and now is a great time to start.

IVOINE INGRAHAM

Nassau,

July 22, 2017.