Every time an accident happens, as a Road Safety Officer, "It feels like you failed".
That's according to TTPS Road Safety Coordinator Brent Batson at the 6th Annual Road Saftey Awards ceremony today.
Batson recounted the moment he found out about the 2-year-old who was crushed by a vehicle on Saturday and died at the hospital on Tuesday.
"When I went to the hospital, the mother held me and cried."
He said this is the kind of situation first responders deal with daily and that is why their jobs are so important.
Batson said what hurts the most is that these accidents are preventable.
Jason Jones lost his wife to an accident last year, he said since then his life changed drastically.
He said seeing his wife stuck under the vehicle and unable to do anything to help was heartbreaking.
Jones said he did not know how to explain to his children that their mom is not coming home.
"Talk about change, now I have to play both mother and father roles," he said.
BHP President Vincent Pereira and sponsor of the awards said the road to zero accidents will not be paved with good intentions, he said the road will not be a straight line.
Pereira thanked the first responders for their work and encouraged every citizen to do their part and the right thing.
He asked the audience what will it take to drive at the speed limit?
"I fundamentally believe in the power of an individual to drive change," Pereira said.
Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith said the TTPS has a big part to play to make sure that drivers "don't drink and drive". He said it happens so frequently in T&T because drivers think they can getaway. with doing so.
Griffith said technology will help in the fight to reduce rouge drivers.
He thanked the first responders and said the TTPS will do all it can to help.
"You are indeed heroes," he said.