Dear Editor,
For the life of me I cannot understand why for years on end minibuses are allowed to stop abruptly and presumptuously on the corner of David & Alexander streets, Kitty a seemingly acceptable law by the authorities of the police force under the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The traffic behind the minibuses has no choice but to follow suit and wait until the buses put off their passengers and/or load the buses all at the same time whilst holding up traffic at an illegal and imaginary stop sign.
Amazingly, about eight blocks away going south on Alexander Street, the Kitty Police Station staff seemingly totally uncaring about the daily traffic hazard occurring at this main intersection in this village community of Kitty. One would think every day a traffic cop(s) would be assigned at this road juncture with the objective of eradicating this illegal practice.
As an elder in our society this grieves me every time I witness this dangerous practice.
It seems the authorities disassociate themselves from this action. I am sure they too traverse this road as a main road and are familiar with this disgusting and dangerous practice.
How did these drivers get their licence? Isn’t there a driving rule or law that drivers stop 10 or 12 feet from a corner? They not only stop, but they also stop putting off passengers and stop picking up passengers and passengers stand at this point to join the bus. What a danger to society and to life.
Were it within the road laws by now it should have had an established sign saying “bus stop” but since it does not, it says to me it is an illegal practice, practiced by all and sundry.
What’s more, within this block is the F.E. Pollard Primary School with children travelling on that block of roadways each school day.
Can the authorities clarify whether this practice is lawful? Perhaps I am mistaken and, in Guyana, drivers may stop anywhere. Yet an abrupt stop at this intersection can endanger motorists approaching either direction on Alexander Street, crossing Alexander Street from the west, or continuing east along David Street.
It seems such a blatant disregard to life and property. How did this illegal bus stop ever come about? Who started it and who allowed it to continue?
As a citizen of my country, I plead with the authorities to make it right and enforce both a bold inscription on the road and a sign “NO STOPPING X FEET from David & Alexander streets corner” going eastward on David Street.
Interestingly at this corner, stopping to pick up and drop off passengers by the minibuses is not practiced on the opposite side going west.
A biblical quote says: “When justice is slow in coming forward, the people cast off restraint and believe it is okay to continue the wrong or illegal practice.” The law should be swiftly exercised, this way more lives will be saved and less wanton loss of life.
Anticipating an early response to address this misdemeanor in society. No wonder the madness on our streets and blatant disregard for signs and rules of the traffic law are disrespected barefacedly. Please can we reintroduce some order into our society?
In conclusion, a relative of mine who resides in French Guiana (Cayenne) every year he comes home to Guyana says to me, Maria! When I arrive home in Cayenne, I breathe a sigh of relief I have returned to an orderly society. Be it known that Guyana has become and is now known as a disorderly society. One of the disorderliness to which my relative refers is the Stabroek market square known as Jurassic Park, the buses, the passengers, the vendors, the buyers, the pedestrians, the cars, one big cluster of businesses of everyone grouped together in one big space.
Yours respectfully,
Maria Rodrigues (Ms.)
Concerned Citizen
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