Editorial: Low cost measures could save lives
While the victims fight for life, many Belizeans are using the tragedy as a focal point for efforts to reduce the nation’s high level of traffic fatalities. And we at this station are no exception. In the following editorial, News Director Stewart Krohn finds that while no safety measure would have prevented Monday morning’s collision, there are a number of practical, low cost ideas that could save many lives.
Stewart Krohn, News Director
Anyone who saw the pictures on television of yesterday’s collision at mile twenty-eight could not fail to be moved by the shocking images. We apologize to those who may have been offended, but believe me, far more gruesome footage was deliberately left out of the story…and anyone who personally experienced the sights, sounds and smells of the carnage can tell you that the pictures on television did not begin to convey the true sense of horror at the scene.
Now, more than twenty-four hours later, the public is looking for answers: what can we do to make sure that this kind of tragic event does not happen again?
Unfortunately, in the present case there is precious little that can be done. This particular accident, we must realize, was not your typical Belizean automobile mishap. For one thing, it took place on a long stretch of smooth road, not one of our notorious unbanked curves. For another, it appears to have been caused by an error of judgment on the part of a tourist, not one of our own notoriously careless motorists.
The fact is that most automobile accidents in Belize–and elsewhere–are caused by drunk drivers. If we can find a way to take these reckless killers off the road, then it is a sure bet that the number of serious accidents will be reduced. How do we do it? The checkpoints now in place on some of our highways is a good place to start. And the Breathalyser machine is a must. If a police officer suspects you’ve been drinking, he asks you to take the test. If you fail–or refuse the request–then you automatically spend the night in the nearest lockup. When you sober up, a quick trial results in a stiff fine and suspension of your license. And if it happens to be your second offence, an automatic prison sentence of six months does not seem unreasonable. If you think this remedy is too severe, I suggest you explain your position to the mother, child, husband or wife of anyone who has died at the hands of a drunk driver.
The other obvious way to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on the road is to make people wear their seatbelts. Research around the world has demonstrated that where drivers and passengers buckle up, fatalities drop dramatically–even more than with airbags. How do we get people to wear seatbelts? Laws are difficult to enforce; education is the only real option for Belize. Here at Channel 5 we have a rule that the company vehicles don’t move until everyone is strapped in. All it takes is a little discipline. On the personal side, a little reminder from a loved one can go a long way; something like, “Daddy, if you love me, you’ll put on your seatbelt.” To that end this station is happy to offer free virtually unlimited airtime to any organization that wishes to embark on a serious effort to convince the public that seatbelts work.
Aside from getting drivers to buckle up and lay off the booze, there are a few other actions that will help make our highways safer. One is the roads themselves. Brightly painted centre lines with cat eyes and reflectors on the shoulders make driving at night much easier. The Hummingbird Highway, for example, is a pleasure to drive, but the Stann Creek Valley Road or the Northern Highway between the Haulover and airport remain a death trap after dark.
Other low or no cost ideas include immediate confiscation of those vehicles caught without license or insurance. The lack of insurance is a particular problem, because in many cases it means that innocent victims and their families suffer twice: first from the pain of the accident and second from the expensive medical bills and loss of income which follows.
A more complicated issue is that of passengers riding in the back of trucks. Strict enforcement of an outright ban would be an extreme hardship on many families–particularly in rural areas–for whom the beat up old Toyota is the only means to a better life. However, a law, which clearly defined the responsibility for such passengers, might lessen the number of riders. That law would state that the truck driver, and that driver alone, bears all legal responsibility for the safety of the passengers. Faced with that burden, at least some drivers might think twice before they loaded up the truck for a ride in the country.
None of the ideas just put forward are particularly brilliant, radical, expensive or unworkable. They will, however, if implemented, save lies. All the more reason then, especially during this election year, for the politicians to pay attention. Sure houses, jobs, lower taxes and less corruption are important campaign issues…but as each party puts the final touches on its manifesto, perhaps they could find room for one more small paragraph. Call it the “Highway Safety Act” and include promises to reduce the toll of death and injury on the nation’s growing system of roads. It would surely receive the support of every Belizean family who’s ever had a loved one involved in a traffic accident–and that, as we all know, is no small number.
Equipment such as radar guns and breathalyser kits are in the possession of the police department, but according to press officer G. Michael Reid, the legal basis for their use has not yet been legislated.
