THE Leader and members of The United Force (TUF) extend deepest sympathy to the parents and grandparents of Coretta Benjamin and her daughter Crazel Paul, the grandparents of Erica la Cruz, the mother and other relatives of Peter Mc Clennon and the wife and children of Junior Duncan who all perished in the minibus on Monday July 18. We are so sorry for your loss and are praying for you at this difficult time.

The United Force also condemns the reckless speeding of minibus drivers who have been causing senseless loss of lives, injuries, grief to families and grave concern to the rest of us citizens.

These drivers must realize that when persons enter their minibuses and pay their fares, they are not only paying for the minibus to take them to a particular destination but they are also placing the safety of their lives in the hands of the drivers.

It is most certainly not a simple “open and shut” case of someone entering a minibus and paying for the drop. The drivers have taken on a very important job… and that is to deliver all their passengers safely to their various destinations! Most minibus drivers seem not to know this and even if they do they seem not to care – their one and only goal being to achieve their quota for the day at any cost.

We are calling on the Guyana Police Force Traffic department to start issuing minibus and taxi licences only after these drivers attend classes and pass a special test tailored to avoid accidents.

Call it an “Accident Avoidance Test” or something to that effect, but we strongly recommend that emphasis be placed on addressing the following:

Speeding – Ignoring the speed limit: Speeding is a deliberate and calculated behaviour where the driver knows the risk but ignores the danger.

Reckless driving – Reckless driving acts include a combination of traffic violations or aggravating circumstances e.g. – Improper turns, running red lights, running stop signs, suddenly braking and the rest of the causes of accidents listed here.

Driving under the influence of alcohol – When you drink, you lose the ability to focus and function properly and it is very dangerous when operating a vehicle.

Driving under the influence of Drugs – Drugs, both legal and illegal, can impair your ability to fully function as a driver. If your mind isn’t clear and you don’t have complete control over your body, getting behind the wheel can lead to serious car accidents.

Lack of proper driving skills – It is a fact that some drivers boast that they did not have to take or pass the practical driver’s test before acquiring their licences!

Overloading – Overloading of vehicles cause tyres to give way.

Drowsy driving – Drivers that fall asleep at the wheel, or even ones that are dazed and unobservant, can cause fatal car accidents.

Distracted driving – Common causes: talking on a cell phone, sending text messages, reaching for a moving object inside the vehicle, looking at an object or event outside of the vehicle, eating food.

Tyre blowouts – Minibus and taxi drivers need to examine their own set of wheels, whether or not they are safe to drive on by performing daily checks; see that they are properly inflated, etc.

Animal crossings – If you maintain a safe speed, you will increase your chances of avoiding an accident with an animal.

Street racing – Street racers are not usually injured in these accidents, but instead, it is innocent people who get injured.

Tailgating – Many drivers are impatient and reckless, driving so close to another car that they cannot react in time if the car in front of them brakes suddenly. Many fatal car accidents have occurred when a motorist dangerously tailgated another driver at high speeds.

The United Force recognizes the great achievement of Mothers in Black and we commend them for the changes they brought about a few years ago which definitely helped to save many lives.

We also recognize the casual disregard and disrespect for lives displayed by most minibus drivers today and demand that the Guyana Police Force immediately examine our suggestion and start putting systems in place to stop this road carnage. Stiffer penalties and immediate escort to the lockups should be implemented as soon as anyone is found committing the above violations.

The traffic police, on the other hand, should take their duties seriously and stop turning a blind eye as they so often do.