Our Readers' Opinions
June 25, 2013

Charity begins at home

Tue June 25, 2013

Editor: One of the things that I like to do is listening to the news, whether local, regional or international, because I do not want second-hand information. On Friday, June 21, 2013, I was listening to SVGTV news at 7 p.m. and there was an interview with Mr Nero of the Traffic Branch of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force regarding the wearing of seat belts. We know that it is mandatory, because a law has been passed regarding this matter. Mr Nero, I endorse everything you said.{{more}}

I think that the police have been too lenient in the past and that it is time enough to begin to prosecute the persons breaking this law. However, if you are going to start to charge people for not wearing seat belts, I suggest that you start with the members of the police force. On numerous occasions, I have seen police officers in and out of uniform, driving police transport or their own private vehicles, and not wearing their seat belts. Mr Nero, charity begins at home, so there is where you should start. There are a lot of motorists who seem to think that they are laws unto themselves, by the fact that they refuse to wear seat belts. This includes many of our minibus drivers.

I have a problem with the passing of laws with no enforcement. I think it is a waste of time and money, mine and other taxpayers’ money! Believe me, I am with you 100 per cent where prosecuting those who break the law is concerned, but on the other hand, if you are going to start for a while and then discontinue, it would only be a waste of time. I believe in consistency in whatever we do. I know that the police would meet a lot of resistance, but they have a job to do, so they must go ahead and do it and “don’t watch no face.” Thank God for those of us law-abiding citizens who are complying with the laws of this country. As my good friend ASP Jonathan Nichols would say, “BUCKLE UP, IT’S THE LAW.”
 

 

Clifford E. Gould

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