Road safety requires a united effort

Road safety remains a pressing concern in Trinidad and Tobago. As of November 14, 2024, 97 lives have been lost in road-related incidents—a troubling 8 per cent increase from the previous year. Sharon Inglefield, President of Arrive Alive, recently appeared on Altos to discuss these alarming statistics and the urgent measures needed to curb this crisis.

An epidemic of avoidable tragedies

“Many different factors contribute to this issue,” Inglefield explained. “We have practised bad behaviour, unsafe road behaviour, for far too long.” Of this year’s 97 fatalities, 44 have been pedestrians, highlighting the urgent need for behavioural and infrastructural change.

One of the most troubling trends involves pedestrians crossing busy highways, often disregarding crosswalks and walkovers. “It’s very, very concerning,” Inglefield noted. “I often wonder if it’s due to impairment, because to cross six lanes of highway is quite amazing. I mean, it’s just bizarre behaviour.”

She expressed concern that this might be a deeper social issue, reflecting not only poor decision-making but also a lack of accessible infrastructure.

Inglefield emphasised the importance of education to foster a culture of road safety. “It’s very difficult to change adult behaviour, but we need to realise that we have loved ones waiting for us at home. Please use the pedestrian crossings and the crossovers,” she urged.

Advocacy and Education: Arrive Alive’s approach

Arrive Alive has been proactive in advocating for change. “We’re in three schools a week,” she shared, explaining that teaching road safety to young people can influence family behaviour. The organisation also partners with the media to amplify its message, encouraging pedestrians to wear bright clothing, use pedestrian crossings, and avoid distractions.

“We need to understand the responsibility we have as road users,” she said. “Look right, left, and right again before stepping into traffic. Make eye contact with drivers. And please, avoid wearing dark colours at night.”

The role of infrastructure

While behavioural change is crucial, Inglefield stressed that infrastructure plays a vital role in road safety. “It’s a proven fact—good infrastructure, safe infrastructure changes behaviour,” she said. Poorly maintained pavements, overgrown bushes, and open manholes push pedestrians onto roads, creating hazardous conditions.

“Infrastructure should enable safe travel,” she continued. “We see mothers walking in the road because sidewalks are impassable. We cannot be pushing pedestrians into the roadway. That only encourages unsafe travel and transportation.”

Inglefield called on the Ministry of Works and Transport to implement practical solutions, such as railings to direct pedestrian traffic to walkovers. “These measures would prevent people from running across highways. Infrastructure and education must go hand in hand.”

Changing a car-centric culture

Trinidad and Tobago has one of the highest rates of car ownership per capita in the world. This car-centric culture, according to Inglefield, has marginalised other road users.

“We must lose the attitude that drivers own the roads,” she urged. “We need to develop respect for cyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists. In first-world countries, road users coexist with mutual respect. Why can’t we?”

She dismissed suggestions to raise the driving age, pointing out that most road fatalities involve men aged 25 to 45, not new drivers. Instead, she advocated for a more robust licensing process, including mandatory defensive driving courses. “Statistical data should drive our decisions, not assumptions.”

Remembering lives lost

Inglefield’s efforts coincide with the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, observed annually on the third Sunday of November to honour those who have lost their lives.

Arrive Alive hosted a walk-and-ride event around the Queen’s Park Savannah November 17 to promote respect for vulnerable road users. “We encourage families to walk, run, or cycle in memory of their loved ones,” she said during the interview, two days before the event.

Despite resource limitations, the organisation is striving to expand its outreach. Inglefield appealed for community support to bring similar initiatives to South T&T, emphasising the need for collective action.

Inglefield’s message was clear: road safety requires a united effort. “Your life changes when someone dies on our roads,” she said. “Respect and care for each other must return to our roadways. Let’s use the infrastructure we have, advocate for more, and educate ourselves and others.”

Assisted generation using ChatGPT.ai