Driver recklessness is the real problem

Dear Editor,

WHILE the concern for road safety is valid and shared by all, the issue requires a more balanced and practical understanding.

It is not simply a matter of pointing to statistics and engaging in public outcry on social media to maintain relevance as a lawmaker.

At the heart of road safety is driver responsibility. What ultimately determines outcomes on our roadways is not a single factor, but the behaviour of those operating vehicles.

In many matters brought before the courts, a consistent pattern emerges, unsafe driving practices such as speeding, poor judgement, lack of defensive driving, and, in some cases, limited real-world competence despite being licensed.

Traffic enforcement, therefore, should not be viewed as focusing on one issue at the expense of another, but rather as part of maintaining overall compliance with the law. Tint enforcement is one aspect of this broader framework.

It supports visibility, accountability, and officer safety, all of which are critical to effective traffic regulation. Addressing one area of non-compliance does not suggest that others are being ignored.

It is also important to recognise that enforcement against speeding and reckless driving is ongoing, even if it may not always be as visibly concentrated at a given time.

The reality is that enforcement alone cannot resolve the problem if driver behaviour does not change.

While arguments from a first-time lawmaker, Toshana Famey-Corlette may suggest a misplacement of priorities, the deeper issue remains unchanged.

Unsafe behaviour, whether through speeding, distraction, or poor driving practices, continues to take lives.

This cannot be solved by focusing on a single offence, but by strengthening a culture of responsibility across all aspects of road use.

It is worth reflecting that many who have served within the Traffic Department, including members of the lawmaker’s own family, have worked tirelessly in enforcement and road safety.

Yet, despite these efforts, the challenges persist. This underscores that the issue is not simply about where attention is placed at any given time, but about a longstanding behavioural problem on our roads.

Many of the fatal accidents recorded in 2026 were captured via CCTV, revealing clear patterns of irresponsible and unsafe driver behaviour, including dangerous driving and failure to practise defensive driving techniques.

Road safety is indeed everyone’s responsibility, but that responsibility begins with the driver.

A more comprehensive approach is needed, one that combines enforcement, education, and, most importantly, personal accountability. Without that shift, the outcomes will remain the same, regardless of which aspect of the law is emphasised.