It is
unfortunate that former Minister of Transport Mrs. Glenys Hanna Martin would
brazenly mislead the Bahamian people about the FNM’s record on road safety. That she has done so while ignoring her own
party’s weak record on road safety is disingenuous and disappointing.
Successive FNM
governments have been aggressive and comprehensive in the area of road safety. Because
of our commitment to the safety of pedestrians and motorists, the FNM has
dramatically stepped up the surveillance of various traffic violations and the
enforcement of related laws.
This was
something in which the Christie administration and Mrs. Hanna Martin were
lacklustre during their five years in office.
Sadly, this is typical of the PLP.
They never tire of commenting or giving speeches on various national
issues. However, their words rarely lead
to action. Road safety is but another example.
Because of their
inability to lead, the PLP never got around to initiating and passing a seat
belt law. It was the FNM that initiated
and passed the new comprehensive seatbelt law in 2002. The law was passed after a year-long
consultation process with the general public, insurance companies, car dealers
and other stakeholders.
Following the
passage of the 2002 law, it was the FNM that launched the initial programme to
sensitize the public about seatbelt and road safety. One phase of that programme was a proactive
measure geared towards promoting seatbelt use by drivers of government
vehicles.
Because taxi
drivers expressed concerns about the number of seatbelts in their cabs, the
Government made arrangements with car dealerships to deal with this issue. These efforts led to a dramatic increase in
the use of seatbelts by Bahamians. These
efforts have saved lives and reduced injuries and harm caused by traffic
accidents.
Unfortunately, despite
having a full five-year term to further the work begun by the FNM and stalled
by the PLP, Mrs. Hanna Martin now seeks to exploit the tragedy of traffic
deaths and accidents for political purposes.
Mrs. Hanna Martin
appears to be embarrassed that the Ingraham administration is doing more on
road safety than the former government, in which she had primary responsibility
for road safety. This may be why she has
conveniently ignored other elements of the FNM’s comprehensive approach to road
safety.
In addition to
stepped-up surveillance of traffic violations by the police, the Government has
a continuous road safety programme that is communicated through radio,
television, newspapers and billboards.
A critical
component of our comprehensive road safety agenda is a massive refurbishment of
roads left in decay by the PLP. Further,
we are improving and rationalizing various traffic patterns. We have also dramatically enhanced road
signage.
As Minister
responsible for Public Works and Transport, I am particularly aware of the
relationship between road safety and improved roads. This reality seems to have eluded Mrs. Hanna Martin
and the PLP in office as well as in opposition.
One of our more
comprehensive efforts with regard to road safety is the continuation of the
major road corridor programme in New Providence. The FNM began this effort when we were last
in government. We will seek to complete
most of it during this term in office.
Our improvements
in the public transport system are an additional element of our road safety
efforts. The FNM will continue to build
on our previous efforts in road safety. In short order, the public will be
advised of additional steps to be taken with regard to our seatbelt laws.
When the history
is written, it will be noted that it was the FNM that created and implemented
the country’s first-ever seat belt laws.
History will also record that while the PLP talked endlessly about road
safety that their actions never caught up with their words.
I implore all
Bahamians to drive safely and to abide by traffic laws, including the use of
seatbelts. The FNM will continue to work
to improve road safety throughout the country.
We invite the
Opposition to join with us in reminding drivers of their responsibility to
treat other motorists with courtesy, due care and attention. As previous safety campaigns have stressed,
safety begins with each one of us.
