As Jamaicans reminisce on the Kendal train crash, it might be an opportune time for them to think about nudging the relevant authorities to return to the use of the railway services. The railway, over the years, proved to have been a safer and cheaper method of transportation across the country for both passengers and goods alike and had far less accidents and tragedies.
At a time when there is perpetual and constant carnage and deaths on the roads and when petrol has become a nightmare problem, there is just cause for concern. Absolutely no care is being exercised by many road users and motorists. Some of the graphic scenes of road accidents have driven many users to a point of not wanting to leave their homes, even when they have important businesses to attend to. Older people being more affected.
If one looks on carefully and caringly enough, one can observe that many of these individuals are so scared that they cause mishaps and get themselves hurt in the process. There is this new development where both old and young road users will put their hand up, do not wait but walk right out into the road, sometimes directly into the path of moving vehicles. This is an act that should take place only at pedestrian crossings. No motorist expects a sane person to just step out in front of a moving vehicle and although they should always expect the inevitable, they cannot always stop or avoid the “possibility”.
I am not at all insinuating that there won’t be railroad accidents or problems, but they would hopefully, be less frequent. It would also be a little cheaper, safer and more comfortable for commuters who have to travel long distances regularly. The rail is not fool-proof to accidents or mishaps, but it is a lot safer under many conditions.
