Indiscipline on the roads jeopardises our health
Dear Editor,
Member of Parliament and Opposition spokesperson on transportation and works Mikael Phillips rightfully suggested that mass public transportation systems in Jamaica need to be worked on if we are to fix the congestion which perennially plagues our road networks.
However, this Government would not be keen on giving up the kind of revenues that it reels in from us owning and operating motor vehicles, but would rather build additional road networks, like the promised Montego Bay bypass, to allay our travel miseries, for now.
This, though, is akin to letting one’s cardiovascular health deteriorate to the point of needing coronary artery bypass surgery instead of preventively maintaining good health as much as possible. Speaking of which, traffic congestion is more than about lost productivity, loss of fuel to idle engines, and the mere displeasure of it, but also, it is bad for one’s health.
Former Venezuelan president, the late Hugo Chavez, once slashed a half an hour from his nation’s official time to allow schoolchildren to get extra sleep time. When what should be a 10- to 15-minute commute takes you 45-120 minutes instead, it negatively impacts your ability to comfortably attend to eating a proper morning meal, spiritually ‘wake up’, get extra rest, and engage in morning exercises. Furthermore, it increases your anxiety levels, which may further adversely affect your health.
The indiscipline on the roads is already bad, but when there is no incentive to do the right thing coupled with the lack of police and other authorities’ presence to discourage improper road use, it really can “lick your chip” to see other motorists passing you illegally, via the sidewalk or soft shoulder, or breaking the line. This does not only set you back by many car lengths, but it also causes further blockage and delays.
Lastly, and as suggested earlier, our road networks are comparable to the vasculature of a living being and as such must be given the attention and respect that it deserves. Good blood distribution does not only critically contribute to overall health and the health of particular systems as is seen with the kidneys, heart, joints, and cognitive health, but also serves as an indicator of such health.
Our attitudes towards transportation must set health and sustainability as its core assets.
Andre O Sheppy
Norwood, St James
astrangely@outlook.com