First published in The Tribune on Friday, August 10, 2007 under the byline, Young Man’s View.

HOLLAND: The wretched state of the roads on New Providence, and the lawlessness of the drivers on these roads, is a travesty.

For the most part, the streets of New Providence are littered with potholes, random bulges caused by paltry repair jobs, large unmarked dugouts left by shoddy utility workers, garbage and bushes that have gradually crept into these unkempt streets.  
 
Personally, I’ve changed a several tires on my vehicle this year, due to the outrageous conditions of the roads in our capital city. Frankly, driving on these streets is nightmarish!
 
In June/July, two of European friends visited me for several weeks. Honestly, I was embarrassed by the shabby state of our roads, particularly as I could see them physically cringe as I navigated our chaotic streets. What’s more, I found myself attempting to travel routes with the best road work, however, even this, was near impossible.

Having already traveled to several European countries during my current vacation, I can categorically state that roads are by and large well maintained. In addition to taking a more proactive rather than reactive approach to their countries affairs, it appears that Europeans recognize that the only way to maintain their respective country’s infrastructure is by paying taxes.  
 
It is high time that the Bahamas’ government begin to collect a road tax, so as to efficiently build roads and bridges, purchase and erect signs and functioning street lights, and to maintain and clean our roads. Such a move will undoubtedly create more jobs as well, but, only certified contractors should be chosen for road-related projects.
 
In Holland, for example, drivers are charged a road tax based upon combined factors such as a vehicles total weight and the type of fuel it uses. Drivers here are allowed to pay reasonable road taxes once per month, once every three months or once per year. To ensure that their roads are not abused, the Dutch road traffic authorities automatically deduct road taxes from a driver’s bank account at a set time. Even more, drivers are protected because when a vehicle’s car insurance is expiring, insurance companies are also authorized to automatically deduct monies to renew a policy from the policy holder’s bank account. Dutch citizens can rest assured that if their taxes or fees are not paid, that they will be tracked down.
 
In Holland and several other European countries, cars that are smoking and poorly kept or that have broken or malfunctioning lights, seatbelts, horns, brakes or windshield wipers are banned from the streets. Not only can a driver seen in a neglected vehicle be hit with lofty fines, but it is mandated that all vehicles over three years old must have a safety check each year. We should immediately adopt these policies in the Bahamas!
 
Driving in New Providence is a deranged, death-defying experience that residents embark on daily. When in traffic, many drivers act like lawless lunatics, from creating a new lane and driving down the middle of streets to madly hurtling in and out of corners to stopping and holding up traffic to chat! What compounds the outlandish traffic situation in New Providence is the mayhem caused by malfunctioning street lights; pedestrians thoughtlessly running across vehicles at any point in the roads without regard for a driver; motorcyclists without protective gear prancing in and out of traffic; and imbeciles that jeopardize people’s lives by driving under the influence (alcohol/drugs)!
 
Over the past two years, I have been the victim of two accidents in which my vehicles were seriously damaged. To my dismay, in seeking compensation for the first mishap, I had to carry out a civil action against the owner of the vehicle that struck me. Although I have since been fully remunerated, sadly, it took more than a year.
 
In another unfortunate twist, this past March I was again struck by another reckless driver who sped out of a corner as if he was being chased by Satan himself. Here, I sustained some injuries but was lucky enough to escape alive. Unfortunately, although police officers from the Grove police station came to the scene, they botched the investigation as the driver not only stonewalled them and failed to produce his driver’s license, but they were fooled into believing that this individual would show up later that night with his license and to give a statement at the station. He never did! Although another police officer has taken over the investigation, I am essentially a victim of a hit-and-run and downright fraud. Since the accident, I have repaired my vehicle out-of-pocket, however, when will I be compensated?
 
A few weeks ago, on the advice of the investigating officer, I visited the offices of a prominent insurance agency and discovered that the owner of the vehicle had cancelled his insurance policy shortly before they hit my car. However, I did ascertain enough information where I could arrange for the insurance agent and the police to talk, so that he could provide the police with personal information that was not privy too. This information could change the future outcome of this case, but for now, the sluggish investigation continues!
 
The Bahamas must immediately put legislation in place that categorizes the different types of driver’s licenses, seeking to have drivers qualify for each. Here in Holland, there are separate drivers licenses for people that drive cars, ride motorcycles, that drive big rigs, drive buses, operate heavy machinery (eg tractors), and drivers must meet the criteria to drive a vehicle that tows a caravan.
 
In striving to implement first-world initiatives in our country, we must immediately find solutions to the maddening traffic dilemma. Every day, Bahamians waste hours in traffic, burning fuel, maneuvering through short cuts, acting out with road rage and simply praying that their cars won’t be hit. Sometimes, it is no wonder why some Bahamians can be late for work or meetings!
 
Why has it become a norm that inconsiderate bus drivers can brazenly stop anywhere on congested streets to offload passengers? It is high-time that a unified bus system be introduced, that will not only curb the dollar driven rat race between bus drivers, but also be organized to the point that people would feel confident about catching buses and parking their vehicles. With fuel prices soaring, both the public and bus drivers/franchise holders can gain from an efficiently ran, well-timed bussing system. Maybe with such a system, bus drivers will then learn to arrive on time and stop at designated bus stops!
 
On an island with an ever increasing population, the traffic situation can also be curbed by constructing schools at different population centres throughout New Providence in order to reduce the rush hour traffic on certain streets during the school year. There is also a pressing need for a properly managed school bussing system!
 
To encourage road safety, Road Traffic Controller Jack Thompson proposes a four pronged approach—that is, education, engineering, proper legislation and enforcement. Indeed, the authorities must first address the psyche of the Bahamian people through further edification on road safety, but also by sending a strong message through stringent, pitiless enforcement of the law. We must also remember though that true road safety cannot come without safe roads—and significant upgrades are desperately needed!

E-Mail Adrian.