The heading of this request is meant in no way to state that the implementation for the breathalyser testing is not critical towards our nation's development or that it should not be implemented. In fact, the State should be commended for finally approving and implementing this long overdue piece of legislation. It has been noted that on several occasions, Minister of Works and Transport, Colm Imbert, has drawn reference to other developed cities where the breathalyser test is implemented, and seeing that we are aspiring to reach developed country status, no one should show reluctance towards this testing taking place. However, it should also be noted that these major cities also have excellent internal public transport systems which ensure that people do not drink and drive and are not limited to the choice of either not drinking or finding a designated non-drinking driver.
In London there is an exceptional underground and bus system with specific routes that see trains and buses arrive at their stops every few minutes without fail, which ensures that those who had one drink too many can easily get to their homes without breaking the law. Likewise, New York City has colour-coded taxis passing by every few minutes in most areas, which also virtually eliminates the problem of people driving after consuming above the legal minimum level of alcohol. Furthermore, these cities ensure that these same transport systems are intensified during special occasions such as New Year's Eve, when hundreds of thousands of spectators converge on Times Square, or during Nottinghill Carnival in London.
Unfortunately, we do not have anything remotely close to such systems and in truth and fact the average T&T citizen will be reluctant–and rightly so–to enter a taxi by themselves at night. This is due to the outdated regulations whereby our regular taxis are not colour-coded and many citizens are forced into the dangerous and not recommended practice of hiring "PH" taxies due to the immense shortage in public trans- port. Our bus system is also highly unreliable. The situation in our country obviously worsens during major events, and for the goodly minister to boast that during the Christmas and Carnival seasons all citizens should be prepared to be tested for alcohol consumption is all well and good.
But it is also strongly recommended that a proper public transport system should now be implemented to assist the citizens in getting home, rather than attempting to get behind the wheel. This is especially necessary during major events such as Carnival, as asking tens of thousands of masqueraders to either not drink or find a non-drinker when they head home on J'Ouvert morning or Carnival Tuesday night might be as improbable as witnessing a West Indies Test series victory.
Again I stress that any logical thinking citizen will be in support of the legislation and implementation of this powerful tool to ensure safety on our nation's roads. However, I also believe that it must be done with a logical and rational thought process, with the citizen doing their part by being more responsible. But the State must also do its part by providing a more reliable public transport system, especially during major events.
Gary Griffith
captaingarygriffith@hotmail.com