Recklessness, not buying licence, contributing to road accidents – Traffic Officers 

Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh and Superintendent Raun Clarke are pushing back against the perception that reckless drivers on the roadways purchased their licences rather than earned them the legal way.

Superintendent Clarke, speaking on the matter during a recent ‘Police & You’ episode, pointed to the behaviour of some drivers as evidence that recklessness, not lack of knowledge, is often the root cause of road accidents and fatalities.

“When you look at persons driving without a safety helmet, I wouldn’t think that a man has to study a package to know that putting a helmet on your head affords safety,” Clarke stated.

He went on to say that majority of the accidents involving motorcyclists results in head injuries and most time, those injuries are fatal.

Motorcyclists have accounted for the majority of road deaths recorded so far this year.

Superintendent Clarke stressed that in many cases, drivers attempt to shift blame onto the police while ignoring their own role in unsafe practices.

“People try to ‘bambass’ the police, but they themselves are a part of the nonsense happening on the roadways.

“Listening to persons involved in accidents, they would say they slowed down at a stop sign. But you have to study a licence to know that you have to stop. The vehicles cannot travel fast unless you accelerate,” Clarke posited.

When reviewing CCTV footage of accidents, Clarke said drivers contribute 98 to 99 per cent to the cause. He added that most times, the accidents could have been avoided.

On the issue of licence-buying allegations, Clarke said there is a legal procedure to attain your driver’s licence.

“If you get yourself involved in buying or selling licences, you are equally responsible for corruption,” Superintendent Clarke said as he urged citizens to purchase and study the driver’s package, sit the exam, and apply the knowledge gained while driving.

Meanwhile, Traffic Chief Singh echoed similar sentiments. According to the Traffic Chief, accountability in police corruption allegations must cut both ways.

“If you have evidence, come forward. Because as much as the police may be accused of something, you are putting your hand in something too. You are equally culpable and involved,” Singh said.

He assured the public that the licensing system has improved over time, and called for greater personal responsibility from all road users.