THE Barbados Road Safety Association is on a mission to place markers at the most dangerous potholes in the country, in an effort to alert motorists and help them to identify those dangers.
The initiative got under way yesterday morning when President of the Barbados Road Safety Association (BRSA), Sharmane Roland-Bowen, accompanied by executive member of the BRSA, Carson Lee, placed the first markers at several areas across the island, including Westbury Road, Goodland, Jackman’s and Lears, St. Michael. She explained that the markers are intended to be advance warning for motorists, so they do not damage their vehicles or become involved in a collision trying to shun the potholes.
“This is not a Ministry concern, this is a road safety concern and this is why we take such an interest in it. It can cause accidents, it can cause an injury to persons, it can cause damage to vehicles, it has a lot of implications that motorists should not be subjected to by any Government, by any authority. They have a responsibility, they have a duty of care to us as road users to make sure that the roads are in reasonable conditions for us to drive our vehicles on,” she said.
She went on to query, “Where is our tax money going? I have to pay $1 600 for an SUV, where is all of this money going? Where’s the money from the fines from the courts going?”
The road safety advocate is adamant that such money should be plugged into the system to make the roads safe for Barbadians and visitors alike. She made the point while contending that motorists are paying double, paying their taxes and also having to expend funds to fix their vehicles as a result of damage caused by the roads. She said she is not advocating that persons withhold their road taxes because of the state of the roads, but insists that Government must take the requisite steps to ensure the roads are in a much better state than is currently the case. Her comments came as she made it clear that the BRSA’s actions were in no way politically motivated, contending that the Association is not aligned with any political party.
“Our interest in this is a safety of people, the safety of road users. Road safety is our main interest and anything that affects our roads or the safety of people using our roads we will be there in full force. In the future, if at any time authorities change we are going to be there, we are going to be active the same way. We take no sides,” she maintained.
She made the point while contending that “more than a reasonable time has run out” for the authorities to take action and she is adamant that the road issues must be addressed as a matter of urgency. She said if the potholes can be addressed that will help to reduce collisions on the road. (JRT)
