Dear Sir and Readers:
I wish to take the opportunity to comment that the standards of driving in Anguilla appear to have worsened and I am sure that many readers will agree with this. The immediate response would be that the number of cars has increased significantly and that part of this increase is due to the number of smaller cars on our roads. The problem with smaller cars is that sometimes drivers seem to feel that they can be driven at faster speeds. This is readily ascertainable on a daily basis.
The main problems are speeding and at the same time breaking speed limits, overtaking when either it is not necessary or even dangerous, and driving too close to the vehicle in front. This latter point is referred to as ‘tailgating’. The standard measurement, when driving, is to be 1 yard behind for every 1 mile per hour of speed. Therefore at 30 miles per hour, a driver should be 30 yards behind the car in front. Bear in mind that, if a car bangs into you from behind, you may not be able to brake in time to stop from hitting the car in front, resulting in a three car accident.
Other points to note are:
• Some drivers never signal that they wish to turn right or left, leaving the driver behind unsure as to why the car is slowing down or even stopping in the middle of the road. Every car has a lever by the steering wheel to indicate turning left or right, and these levers are purposely there to prevent accidents happening.
• Some drivers courteously let out other drivers from side roads. However sometimes there are cars drivers coming in the opposite direction, who may not recognize that a car is about to come out in front of them – and I know of at least two accidents where this has happened. Care needs to be taken in these circumstances.
There are indeed many excellent and responsible drivers on our roads. However, the message is to remind drivers to drive at all times with due care and attention. Why take unnecessary risks ? At the same time this letter is to remind those, who have the responsibility for overseeing and controlling standards of driving in Anguilla, to take a more active role in keeping our roads safe. Remember: “Better to lose a minute in one’s life than one’s life in a minute”.
Yours sincerely,
Belonger
