Ministry reiterates calls for road safety
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Contact: Claudia Monlouis
Monday, July 14, 2008 – The Department of Transport remains resolute in sounding the message for road safety, even as thousands of students began their summer vacation this week.
In recent time the department has been lamenting the theft of amber flashing lights in school zones. Driving Examiner Martin Joseph has reiterated the need for persons not to tamper with flashing lights, which serve as a reminder for drivers that danger is up ahead.
“Flashing lights basically warn drivers that they are approaching a school and they should start reducing their speed being extra careful for pedestrians. There's no stated limit there but we strongly recommend start slowing down to around twenty miles an hour. If you are unfortunate enough to hit a child at that speed the accident is survivable. Twenty miles per hour gives you plenty of time to assess the situation and to come to a decision,” he said.
Mr. Joseph also reminded pedestrians of their responsibility for their safety. Joseph said adults too need to set the example for children in the right way to cross a road, especially those which are extremely busy.
“The drivers are aware that they need to slow down in certain key areas, but as pedestrians we have a part to play as well. Vehicles, they have to remember, cannot stop instantly; it takes time for a driver to bring that vehicle to stop. We'd like basically to tell the children to be careful, walk on the road properly, walk on the roads correctly, and let's reduce the number of accidents we are having on our roads,” Joseph said. Just weeks ago the nation was saddened by the death of a thirteen-year-old student of the George Secondary School on the Millennium Highway. He was hit by a vehicle just yards away from an amber flashing light. |
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