Sadistic Voyeurism

Sadistic Voyeurism

Posting the disturbing pictures of the Easter morning accident was callous, insensitive, and plain ignorant. Sadly there are some people in our community who lack social graces and class.
There is a lot that we as a people need to learn when it comes to being conscious of what we do and how it can impact others. Ths act falls in the category of sadistic voyeurism.

There is nothing to be gained by doing this but perhaps some dubious notoriety. Some of us are in possession of technology but we have not yet learned the protocol involved in using them responsibly. We use if for mischief instead of good.

I was appalled about the flippant comments of some of those who viewed those photos. Some of them bordered on "Schadenfreude" - "finding pleasure in the pain, suffering or misfortune of others”.
I wonder whether they understand the additional pain that they inflict upon the families and loved ones of the victims.

I must say that I am proud that the established media houses did not engage in such irresponsible behaviour.

Ignorant Driving

It wasn't too long ago an article appeared in the Voice about some of the people who drive on our roads. The writer spoke of the lack of consideration for other users of the road, their recklessness, and their crass ignorance.
These people fail to realize that a moving vehicle is a deadly weapon. Everytime you get behind the wheel of a vehicle it is tantamount to handling a deadly weapon much like a loaded gun. Thus it behooves us, who have been given the priveledge to operate a motor vehicle on the roads, to be always mindful of that and do so with as much caution as possible.

It is quite evident that speed played a role in this accident. Minibus drivers are always in a hurry to make as many trips as possible to maximize their earnings. Other drivers speed for the thrill of it, or to suggest to others that they are great drivers. While others are simply lead footed, but are seriously deficient in driving skills, common road courtesies, and judgement.

St. Lucian roads are simply not designed for fast driving, and even if they were, there are limits to how fast we should drive. This is especially so when we are responsible for the lives of those who travel with us and other road users.

Insurance and Enforcement

The insurance industry in conjunction with the department of road safety in St. Lucia must rethink how they assess insurance rates on motor vehicle owners. The police must adopt a more proactive stance when it comes to speeding and other traffic offences commited by drivers. Perhaps, a points system can be introduced, much like what exists in the United States, where you accumulate points against your license every time you get a ticket.

The insurance company will charge you more if you have a poor driving record. Too many points on your liscense due to too many traffic violations. At some point you will forfeit your driving priviledges for being a nusiance and a threat to public safety.

Drunken driving is too commonplace in St. Lucia in particular and the wider caribbean in general. I am not at all sure that much is being done to seriously address this issue, except for the Vivian Richards/Johnny Walker sponsored "Know Your Boundaries" public service announcements.
Too many of us imbibe at Fish Fry Fridays at Anse - La - Raye and Gros Islet street party and see no problem in getting behind the wheel of a car. This is nothing short of playing Russian Roullete with our lives.
In many instances off duty policemen are members of the party, and they too, are too impaired to bring it to our attention that it's not safe to drive.

We simply cannot afford to lose our young people through negligence on the part of some callous folks. More often than not, these people are in the prime of their lives, or may be the sole bread winner of their families. This is simply unacceptable. We need to act and act with all deliberate speed.