EDITORIAL
Taking Speeders Off Our Roads: Licence Review
Friday, April 30, 2004
In an editorial several months ago, Cayman Net News endorsed the
implementation of graduated licensing when it comes to issuing drivers
licences to teenagers. The concept, which is not mandatory here as it is in
many other countries, is currently being implemented as part of MattSafe’s
yearlong programme that teaches young people safe driving.
Under the graduated licensing programme, teens earn the right to drive over
a lengthy learner’s phase, which is followed by a restricted phase, and then,
if there have been no violations or at-fault accidents, a provisional licence
is issued for a probation period before a full licence can be attained.
Countries where the programmes have been made mandatory have witnessed
dramatic decreases in traffic violations and fatalities, which is one reason
that the MattSafe organisers would like to see legislation that would make
graduated licensing compulsory in the Cayman Islands as well.
However, as helpful as the graduated licensing programme could be with its
positive reinforcement approach, perhaps it does not go far enough in helping
to curb unsafe driving in young people who attain their full licence, or also
in older drivers who are now needlessly and carelessly speeding and weaving
their ways over our thoroughfares.
Indeed, anyone who travels on Cayman’s roads on a regular basis can witness
instances of irresponsible driving almost on a daily basis. Some of this
recklessness can be attributed to the frustrations of the traffic situation
here, but some of it is result of a selfish, immature, and discourteous
attitude among drivers. Simply put, some drivers think their needs and thrill
seeking desires outweigh the needs and safety of others.
It is this attitude and the resulting driving behaviours that must also be
addressed if the roads in the Cayman Islands are to become safer for everyone,
and in this effort, a more punitive approach to traffic lawbreakers is needed.
It is therefore very encouraging to see that the Royal Cayman Islands
Police have begun a campaign to crack down on speeders. Given the high cost of
speeding fines and the increase in automobile insurance rates that comes with
the citations, those who disregard the law will face a financial setback.
However, for some people in this affluent community, the financial penalty
caused by reckless or over-speed driving is no hardship at all, so there is no
real deterrent for them to change their habits behind the wheel. The only
thing that might actually make such motorists rethink their actions is to
threaten their very right to drive on Cayman’s roads.
When people are caught driving under the influence of too much alcohol,
they almost invariably have their driving privileges suspended, and rightfully
so. Habitual speeders or reckless drivers should face the same punishment,
since they also pose a threat, not only to themselves, but also to the society
at large.
What is needed in the Cayman Islands is a system similar to that adopted by
other countries whereby traffic offences are given point values based on their
seriousness. If a driver reaches a certain aggregate point total in a set
timeframe, his or her driver’s licence is suspended for at least a year.
Re-establishing a suspended licence after a suspension could entail
remedial driving education, and a no-tolerance probationary period could be
instituted.
Driving is a privilege to the residents of a country, not an
incontrovertible right. If some motorist’s continually behave in a way that is
dangerous to others, society should have the right to make these drivers find
alternative modes of transportation.
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