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00:00This program is unsuitable for young children.
00:30Beyond the Tape will be back after these messages.
00:51Hello world, especially for those of you in the Caribbean.
00:56The match is about to start.
00:59We are a team.
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01:05My Caribbean brothers and sisters, from June 1st straight to November.
01:09Prepare now, not after. Prepare now, not later.
01:13No wait for disaster, to show love to your neighbor.
01:17It's hurricane season.
01:19Come on!
01:20Hurricanes are coming.
01:24Did we learn from the last one?
01:27We may think we are strong, but nature is even stronger.
01:33Let's protect what we love.
01:38Check up on the latest news.
01:40Disaster fighters.
01:46Let's put this together now.
01:48Hurricane fighters.
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01:56When the hazards coming, we should tell each other.
02:00This is the time for us to prepare together.
02:03Look out for your neighbor.
02:05Make sure the children sleep.
02:07And with this team training light, we're going to save.
02:11Food and water.
02:13You trim the trees.
02:15Check on the elderly.
02:17Check your neighbor and your friend.
02:19Wear your mask to protect them.
02:21Check the news to inform them.
02:23Or else you will end up in a problem.
02:25Be prepared.
02:28They say.
02:30Don't fear.
02:31Disaster fighters.
02:37Let's put this together now.
02:39Hurricane fighters.
02:42We will fight to make it better.
02:44The disaster fighters are ready for the hurricane season.
02:47Make a plan.
02:52Everybody come together and we make a plan.
02:54Make a plan.
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03:01Secure your home.
03:03Build an emergency kit.
03:05Protect your pets.
03:07Check the news.
03:09Stay inside.
03:10Away from your windows.
03:12If you need to evacuate.
03:14Go to the nearest shelter.
03:16Disaster Fighters.
03:21Let's do this together now.
03:23Hurricane Fighters.
03:26Let's do this together now.
03:29Disaster fighters.
03:35Let's do it together now.
03:37Hurricane fighters.
03:42Let's do this together now.
03:44We are in this together. One
04:14is looking, of course, to see how they can make extra money in their pockets. All right.
04:19Now, of course, as you know, we always try to speak to the public and inform as best
04:25as we can. So you wouldn't use the term of I didn't know or be naive to the fact. But
04:32we want you to understand the importance of the information that we give you every single
04:36day. Now, what does it mean when we are on the black carpet and the black carpet? I mean,
04:42I mean, the nation's road roadways. And many times we will see that person see it fit to
04:49operate as they feel like, like when you're home and not respecting the road and respecting
04:54the regulations. And many times we see it as the T.P.S. always coming down on us when
05:00they should be running on criminals instead of giving out tickets. That is, of course,
05:06the consensus of most of the people. When we are stopped by officers, when we have things
05:11that we know we were supposed to fix. But of course, today we have the opportunity to
05:16dive in a little bit more when it comes to the traffic offenses, the rules and regulations
05:22of the roadway and how we could do better to prevent breaking our pockets and giving
05:28back to the state when you can keep that money and use it to do something that you really
05:32like doing. My name is Whitney Husbands. And at this time, I would like to welcome the
05:37I say he is the ambassador of the road. He's like the face. I'm sorry to say you have so
05:41many memes. And people. Yes. And people see Sergeant Batson coming. Just know he's coming
05:51to inform. Yeah. And surely give you a ticket. Well, hopefully now I try to educate you correctly
05:58as much as possible. Yes, yes, yes. Of course. The road safety coordinator for the T.P.S.
06:03Sergeant Batson. Good evening. And I hope all is well with you. I know you had a busy day today.
06:08Well, it's interesting. You open the segment saying that, you know, you're you know, everybody
06:12gets excited as a weekend. Yes. We get anxious, you know, because we get anxious because the
06:18stats always show, you know, weekends is where we take last week. We had four road traffic
06:23deaths just within the weekend. So when once Friday arrives, we get a little bit nervous. You
06:29know, we're really hoping that people get the message out there to do the right thing,
06:33because, you know, you mentioned the fact that, unfortunately, public views sometimes
06:39are operations as revenue somehow linked to revenue generation in government instead of
06:46public safety, which is the ultimate goal. We we would love not to have to write a ticket.
06:52We would love if we do a speed exercise and we get nobody. If we do a DUI and we arrest
06:58nobody. Good stuff. Oh, yeah. In fact, you know, a story we always tell persons with
07:07regards to a success in the TTPs and changing what we call a social norm was through DUI
07:14intervention. So driving under the influence when the breathalyzer first came out and the
07:21commissioner launched the DUI task force out to the Traffic and Highway Patrol branch, it
07:26allowed us island wide operations. And I remember it was 2012. We would park up 225
07:35seaters sometimes outside Marshall Monday and bet your butt that 225, almost full, you
07:41know. So what we started to do, once we started to get more enforcement, you know, people
07:48were drinking and driving all the time. And I always remember the last Marshall fit. We
07:53set up outside. We got two people. Everybody had rideshare, take taxi. They're not going to
08:01that. Yeah, at all. But we also got good. So once you get good legislation, good training,
08:05good, good tools and equipment to do the job, you'd find that you get what we call a success,
08:11a success factor with what is the initiative you want to really have that intervention
08:18with. Because saving lives, keeping families together is what we're trying to do. And these
08:24things are so preventable. You hear the mothers cry. I remember the Highway Patrol officers
08:29recently saying, boy, Sarge, that mother show up on the site and she just drop and start a
08:34ball. That's not something we want you all to experience. And when we're out there trying to do
08:40our job, whether it's through speed, through DUI, or general enforcement and presence, it's
08:45really to keep everybody on that same keel to be safe and to be injury and harm free and reach
08:54your destination safely. That's the goal.
08:56I want to touch on when we come back after the headlines. Do you think that we have a lot of
09:00drivers who are really educated about the road and understand responsibility that drivers hold
09:06when they go behind such a powerful machine that we call the vehicle or cars that we drive on a
09:12daily basis? At this time, let's take a look at today's headlines.
09:45And we are back, of course, to take a look at some of what made the headlines in the past 24 hours.
10:10Now, what I saw in one of the headlines, the Moruga Collision, of course, condolences to the
10:16family. Where does the TTP step in? Because I know we deal with the road. But what about persons who
10:23will have their boats and their pirogues and they are riding these boats recklessly on the sea?
10:28Right. Again, even jet skis.
10:30So just to be clear, you know, I always say a bat and a crease with regards to where our
10:36enforcement zones are. Whereas we have that riverine and marine units that kind of augment the
10:43coastal patrols from the Coast Guard, the enforcement of marine regulations usually is done
10:48through the Coast Guard with regards to sea safety and maritime safety.
10:53This is not to say if the police are not on the scene where they're seeing that kind of reckless
10:58behavior, that they won't engage to try and have a word with the operator of that sea craft.
11:04Again, though, what is disappointing is that persons don't, just like you need, you have to
11:10understand you need a license to operate a motor vehicle.
11:13You don't need that for a jet ski or really what we call a seafarer's license for those basic small
11:21boats, you know. So, you know, and it's so rare, I mean, as compared to motor vehicle collisions.
11:27But that being the case, though, even it goes to show once you have, you know, persons in a close
11:33proximity and anything that is moving or motorized, you have a chance of harm.
11:39And that's why operating safe in the environment is so important.
11:42And as the same principle for driving, being alert, reducing your speed so you have more time to see
11:48who's in the area and what's in the area, you know, before you decide to throttle out.
11:52And unfortunately, it's the same kind of consequence.
11:55Now, before we went to the headlines, I was going to ask you with regards to persons being educated
12:02about the roadways and the regulations.
12:05Do you think the majority of the population in Trinidad and Tobago is educated enough when it comes to
12:12driving? And is it that persons are just using the naive approach to get out of maybe a ticket when they
12:21know better?
12:22When you say naive?
12:23They tend to pretend like, I didn't know this was a rule or a regulation.
12:30I really didn't know.
12:31But what we did was if everyone took a driver's test, you had to go and learn the regulations, correct?
12:40And then you had to do a test where they have to see if you're able to do parking, turns, driving on the
12:49roadway, signals.
12:52So then how could you say I don't know?
12:53Well, OK, so you say they divide multiple issues there.
12:57That's what I was saying when you used the word naive.
12:59Naive and ignorance, two different things, right?
13:02OK. And what you find is a lot of people are ignorant to the laws.
13:06Good example, when we stop them for speeding, we tend to do speed exercises in the proximity of speed
13:14limit signs so that you can't say, well, you didn't see it.
13:18Or is that you weren't looking?
13:20So it's not the state is not doing a job to let you know what is the speed limit of the road.
13:24Your job as a driver is to operate that vehicle safely on the roadways while obeying the road traffic rules.
13:32That's what you signed up for when you got your driver's permit.
13:34But I will still say, though, that is signage is not good.
13:38Yeah, it's still not good enough, even though you may see or a sign may be visible.
13:43One sign.
13:43Yeah. For almost one kilometer of driving is madness.
13:48Yeah. And I'm with you on that.
13:50And the state could improve on that somewhat.
13:54I was fine for me, but let's look at what is a small country.
13:57What do you major is beaten?
13:58A hundred. Right.
14:00Churchill was a little highway.
14:01A hundred.
14:02Jopini, CRH, UBH, one hundred.
14:05I before you even say anything else, because I know when we open the phone lines, I am posing this question to the public,
14:11especially persons who use the lady on what is the speed limit and let them answer.
14:16And you tell me if they're right.
14:17I'm not even going to say anything when we open the phone lines, because is there a sign on the lady on
14:23saying the speed limit and how many signs are there to bring awareness to persons?
14:28Sure. So I want to hear from the public.
14:30And if they paid attention and it changes me, I'm going to I'm going to shift it to the change in times where I say that
14:36whereas before everything might get published
14:41through newspapers and came out once or twice for the week.
14:44True. Now everything is online.
14:46Yes. And what's amazing with me when when persons say, well, I didn't know.
14:51I said, well, did you ever visit the Ministry of Works Drive and TT dot com, where it has everything with the merit points,
14:57everything with all the tickets that is available for you?
15:00It's only you could download the ticketable booklet that's published with Arrival Live that has everything you need to do.
15:06It's literally a nice little handbook on driving safety.
15:08How to use a roundabout.
15:10All these things are in that booklet that's available online, even at Arrival Live's website.
15:14Do you think we're lazy?
15:15Well, it's not. I always say people seem to use technology for what they want to use it for.
15:20Instead of using it for sometimes for education.
15:23That being the case, though, we we do give a lot of warnings.
15:27We will give you the benefit of the doubt.
15:28Maybe it didn't know. But and that allows us to see with that system.
15:32Now it allows us to see, well, OK, this officer gave you a warning.
15:36I know when you're before me.
15:38Well, you used up that warning and you can't say you didn't know.
15:42But but our role and function over there continues to be
15:45a combination of enforcement and education,
15:48because there are some officers who believe that when people get the ticket,
15:51they're very educated, right?
15:53We could become educated by the fine, but educated now in the law and the breach that occurred.
15:58Worse yet, if something that they're repeatedly caught doing.
16:02All right. So and that's the whole purpose of the demerit point system to try and target
16:07that driver recidivism as it pertains to persons who are repeat.
16:12All right. Right. Practicing poor driving behaviors.
16:15And when we're out there and we are giving fixed penalty notices for these,
16:21we have to remind persons of this has real consequence.
16:25It's no longer just getting a ticket and paying the fine.
16:30Now you get demerit points that can lead to losing that driving privilege.
16:34And this will remind us it's a privilege is not all right.
16:37And the state cannot take back that driver's permit.
16:40We need to take a break. Let's take that break.
16:41And when we come up, the conversation continues.
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18:41Hi, Theresa Mannion here with some important advice about driving on wet roads.
18:47In heavy rain, visibility is reduced.
18:50Slow down and allow extra distance between you and the vehicle in front.
18:55On wet roads, aquaplaning can happen when a film of water
18:59separates your tyres from the road, causing your car to skid.
19:04If your car aquaplanes, don't brake fast or pull sharply on the steering wheel.
19:10Instead, ease off the accelerator and let the car slow down itself
19:15until you feel the tyres regaining grip.
19:18Do not try to steer or brake until grip has been restored.
19:22Keep a steady hand on the wheel and steer with small movements
19:26to correct your course.
19:28Make sure you watch your speed in wet conditions.
19:31The RSA advises that you should replace your tyres
19:35if the tread depth falls below three millimetres.
19:39Don't get caught out when severe weather strikes.
19:42For more tips and advice, visit RSA.ie.
19:48And of course, persons who are ignorant to the fact,
19:52as Sergeant Watson will say sometimes, that these are the things we learned
19:56when we went to, of course, get our licence
20:00and we had to do the regulation exams and all these things that persons...
20:04I think I don't want to say it's common sense, but once rain is falling
20:07because we have sun and we have rain,
20:09that is, you know, the two seasons that we have in Trinidad and Tobago
20:13that it's understood that you should slow down.
20:16Well, OK, so a couple of things.
20:19And I'm really glad for this opportunity to remind all drivers, all drivers.
20:25We are in the rainy season now.
20:27You may have had what we call dry season tyres on your vehicle.
20:31That cannot work at all in the current conditions.
20:36Now, and the reason why we wanted to highlight this in the video
20:40is that persons understand when we, as the Highway Patrol,
20:44are responding to loss of control situations on the highway
20:48with single vehicle, the person has spun out.
20:52They also managed to skillfully hit the one pole in a hundred foot distance,
20:57nothing in between, but hit that one pole.
20:59In most cases, when we show up, smooth tyres.
21:03Of course, they drove through a puddle of water too fast.
21:06And persons have to remember one thing.
21:09Let's look at what you can control when you look at persons
21:12that are operating in an environment where there's heavy rainfall.
21:17Reduce visibility, light rainfall,
21:20leads to oil and sludge coming up to the top of the surface.
21:24So you really need traction to keep that vehicle on that road.
21:28The key parts for that vehicle to maintain traction of that,
21:32I should say, the tyre to retain traction is your treadwear.
21:36So if you have a smooth tyre,
21:38there's nothing for the ability for the tyre to channel that water.
21:42So it has constant friction and traction with that road.
21:45So it's so important.
21:46And it's true, not everybody's a tyre enthusiast or vehicle enthusiast.
21:51Especially women.
21:52Well, no, I agree on that because there's so much female vehicle owners now.
21:56Yeah, but so that means you have to own it.
21:58Yes, we have to own it.
21:59You are operating this machine now.
22:01So so the basics, you know, people always say, well, my vehicle runs on gas.
22:05No, it doesn't.
22:06Your vehicle runs on tyres.
22:08That's what keeps it on the road.
22:10Visit your tyre shop, check your inflation,
22:13check and see if you need to rotate, check the evenness of the wear.
22:18Because that's what's going on.
22:19And of course, the treadwear depth.
22:20Well, that's the pressure. Yeah.
22:22And verify whether or not through that that that that marketing person,
22:27whether you went to EMR, whoever it is that you wanted to buy a tyres
22:31and verify that it's it's road worthy,
22:34that it makes a major difference in a situation
22:37whether or not you could control that vehicle.
22:39And there are persons who sometimes look to cut costs by almost going
22:43by someone who is a tyre magician.
22:47So they chisel into the chisel.
22:50Yeah. OK.
22:51Into the tyre, that's extremely dangerous.
22:53I know you're damaging.
22:55I call them tyre magicians because clearly you're doing something.
22:58Yeah. That is what we call retreading.
23:00They tend to try and retread the tyre.
23:02I know in some cases it might be done on somebody truck tyres.
23:06No, but that's not a best practice.
23:07It definitely is not a best practice.
23:09And we encourage everybody, like I said,
23:12get familiar with the treadwear indicators that's built in the tyre.
23:16It actually has a little marker in the tyre that tells you when it's worn out.
23:19That's when it's time to change.
23:22And more importantly, like I said, inflation becomes a critical part.
23:26Remember, if you have a vehicle that is, for example, uninflated,
23:29it can lead to too much heat, especially at higher speeds.
23:32Yeah. And if it's overinflated, it will bounce harder,
23:35putting more strain on your suspension,
23:38which could lead to a loss of control situation.
23:40Worse if you drop in a big pot hole, God forbid. Right.
23:42But so we're encouraging people, it's rainy season.
23:46Get your tyres checked off. Make sure your wipers are working.
23:49I've seen too many times in the area, people are using their hands sometimes.
23:52So they have a windscreen wiper that literally is moving the rain up
23:56and then back down over the same windscreen. Right.
23:59So, yeah, that's when you notice the rubber.
24:03I mean, it's worn out now. It's worn out.
24:05Well, a defective wiper is also a violation.
24:07You get a ticket for it just by the way.
24:09Now, Sergeant Batson, what are the drivers doing wrong?
24:12What are we doing wrong as drivers?
24:15Well, you think it's the main thing that you see?
24:18Because we have a nice little slide on that. Right.
24:22When we look at the collisions that are happening on nation's roadways,
24:26we're not just talking about the highways, but also on the main roads.
24:30The main things without a doubt is not obeying speed limits.
24:33Speed, we always have to emphasize, is your control parameter.
24:37How fast you go is going to determine whether or not that vehicle
24:41is going to be able to stop,
24:43whether or not you're going to steer the vehicle in the direction you want it to go.
24:46So that's a crucial part of maintaining control of that vehicle.
24:51So we find that people are not paying attention to how fast they're driving.
24:54They're also driving too fast for conditions.
24:57What is that? What does that mean?
24:59Well, as the lady mentioned in the video, you know, as it starts to rain,
25:04your traffic conditions are changing.
25:06When we investigate road traffic crashes, we are breaking down
25:10that collision situation into the conditions surrounding
25:14surrounding the incident. What does that mean?
25:17When you hear about too fast for conditions,
25:19that could mean you're on the eastern main road.
25:21It's now just after half past two.
25:25So where's the speed limit is 50.
25:27School is now over.
25:29So that means there's going to be more pedestrian traffic.
25:31It also means taxis are going to be stopping a lot more.
25:34And it means kids may be crossing in front of vehicles.
25:37So it is unreasonable to operate at the maximum speed of the roadway
25:42in the conditions.
25:43It's the same thing. It's raining on the highway.
25:45The speed limit is 100. Yes, but the conditions do not suit that.
25:49All right. We always say the speed limit is set for maximum speed.
25:53Once all conditions are good.
25:55What are those conditions you should look out for?
25:58The vehicle and other vehicles, light weather, road and traffic.
26:04All right. And traffic includes what?
26:05Cyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians, dogs, dogs, animals as well.
26:09No, you call objects.
26:11That could just be the rule.
26:12Like there was a pig that got knocked down here
26:14almost recently on the social media, destroyed the whole front of a person's car.
26:19Also taking unnecessary chances.
26:21We've seen where persons are still engaging in dangerous maneuvers,
26:25like overtaking round corners, overtaking at intersections,
26:29which are very high risk, dangerous, you know, areas.
26:33And unfortunately, we're not there all the time.
26:37You know, you have to see these on some of the wind plane course.
26:39And we wish we could just jump out and deal with these clowns.
26:41Yeah, right. Because that's what it's a clown show for them.
26:44But the consequences are real.
26:46Of course, seatbelts not being worn.
26:48A lot of those incidents recently, you see persons that were scattered
26:52across the highway, thrown from the vehicle.
26:55And it's true. We do have rare seatbelt laws.
26:57And I want to state right now in this program, we will be lobbying for that.
27:02The police will be lobbying for rare seatbelt legislation
27:04because it only makes sense that everybody buckle up in a vehicle.
27:08And and as well, as I said, so seatbelts
27:11form that critical part of what we call PPE for driving.
27:15I always remind persons once you're ejected from a motor vehicle,
27:19you have a 75 percent chance of death.
27:22All right. 75 percent chance.
27:24Once you're thrown for that occupant compartment, when the vehicle rolls,
27:28you're not going to stay in a protected cage.
27:30A lot of vehicles nowadays, the vehicle itself, that cage is reinforced,
27:36reinforced to help make it stronger.
27:39So therefore, protecting those that stay inside that cage
27:42once you're thrown out, you're not.
27:44That's it. You're putting yourself at a big high risk.
27:47We have to take a short break.
27:49And when we come back, we will open the phone lines
27:51to hear from our listeners out there. We'll be back.
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28:29Look no further than the TV6 News for the most complete coverage of local,
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29:05I can dance. I can sing.
29:08I can speak. I have ideas.
29:13I can debate. I can reason.
29:16I can write. I can draw.
29:20I can paint. I can protest.
29:24I can stand up for my rights and I can enjoy my rights.
29:31I have the right to express myself.
29:35Children have rights.
29:37And we are back.
30:03I remember you could give us a call at 623-1711
30:06extension 1992, 1993, 1996 and 1997.
30:11If you're not joining us, we have Sergeant Batson here with us,
30:14who is the road safety coordinator for the TTPS.
30:17And let's talk about some of the major accidents
30:21that we tend to either see in real time
30:25or even where persons see it on social media.
30:28The pictures and videos are circulating.
30:30And I know when we show some of these images, of course,
30:34we want the viewers to understand discretion is advised.
30:36When you see what could really happen when you do not abide
30:40by the rules and regulations and understand how safety
30:43is important when driving a vehicle.
30:47Yeah, well, sadly, when when most people see,
30:50you know, some of these and we want to extend condolences to the families
30:54of the loved ones who've lost persons to road traffic accidents.
30:57And again, this is why I emphasized when we're out there
31:01is to prevent this trauma.
31:03You know, the sad part is.
31:06A lot of persons don't know the other side, those that survive,
31:10that have disabling injuries for life, you know,
31:14whether it's spinal damage, some of them can't walk for years.
31:17They're on disability for sometimes decades just as a result of that accident.
31:22So, you know, in our efforts of prevention,
31:26it's beyond not just saving lives, but to save your lifestyle.
31:32We want to preserve that, you know, having all the limbs,
31:35making sure you can go back to work normally, enjoy your family's care.
31:39And injuries are such a serious disabling part of road
31:42traffic accidents as well.
31:44I just want to mention a couple of names and you'll see them pop up
31:47on the screen in a bit.
31:48Adolphus Martinez, Anneli George,
31:53Terence Tinto, Alan Steel,
31:58Ryan Suku, Lissandro Aquino,
32:03Akil Thomas, Geraldine Matamoro.
32:08These are just a few of the names of the persons
32:12that were killed in road traffic crashes recently.
32:16You can only imagine the immeasurable loss
32:20that their families are feeling right now.
32:23And it's sad because everybody will drive by
32:27take a picture.
32:28They will WhatsApp it in groups because you have traffic watch groups
32:31and stuff like that.
32:32And then you'll hear people saying, yes, boy, how'd that happen, boy?
32:36And then the people that will drive past us while filming it
32:39and driving using their cell phones, you're part of the problem.
32:44And it comes back to the same things we're begging everybody to do.
32:49Guys, ladies, obey the speed limit now, take your time.
32:52If you're too tired to drive, call somebody.
32:54If you had too much to drink, call somebody to pick you up
32:57because the consequences are real.
33:00And the loss when we have to meet with, like I said, victims,
33:04parents, our loved ones, when we hear that their kids
33:09start to scream the only place because we have to tell them, well,
33:12you know, sorry to inform you, your father passed away in a road traffic crash.
33:16It doesn't make sense. How is that possible?
33:18He just left. He just left.
33:22Well, I just spoke to him.
33:23He just WhatsApp me on his way home.
33:25What went wrong?
33:30Trinidad and Tobago, we are hoping
33:32that no more lives are lost unnecessarily on this roadway.
33:38The incident in D.B.
33:40where everybody's quick to, for one, jump and say, well, how'd that truck drive?
33:44No, no. That was a genuine accident.
33:47We have angles of footage that that gave us a more direct image
33:51of what happened.
33:52And I'm sorry it lent the line of a bit of carelessness
33:56on behalf of the pedestrian.
33:57And what is shocking for this year, we have a 100 percent increase
34:02in pedestrian deaths.
34:03Yes. After years of success
34:06in reducing pedestrian deaths, we have now a shocking increase
34:11with 50 percent occurring on the highways.
34:13Again, where persons are running across the carriageway
34:17and a walkover is right close proximity to walkovers.
34:20But now it's happening even on.
34:22I don't know if you're aware.
34:23Last time in Grandi, where there was a pedestrian that was knocked down.
34:27And, you know, kudos to the
34:29the Grandi, the Sangre Grandi traffic unit.
34:31You know, they were able to apprehend the driver, brutalize him in the field.
34:34You know, so obviously that is ongoing.
34:36But again, we have corroborating evidence to support a certain type of driving
34:41that will lead to a serious charge.
34:43We had the stinking death defense.
34:47And we were hoping, yeah, they put us in DUI units.
34:50Put us in division outside, ready.
34:53Arrested seven, eight drivers for DUI afterwards with high readings.
34:58Some persons in excess of twice the reading.
35:01The legal limit of thirty five micrograms.
35:03I heard that there were individuals who weren't even able,
35:06who was in the driver's seat when asked to come out.
35:11They fell out.
35:12Yeah, that's right.
35:13They couldn't even walk.
35:13They couldn't walk.
35:14And that's a part. That's scary.
35:16No, but we want you and I want to be crystal clear.
35:20We are not the persons that want to stop you to have from having fun
35:25or enjoying the effects of the promotions.
35:28By all means, we love that.
35:29In fact, we want to prevent you from harming yourself
35:33so so that you can enjoy the next one.
35:36But it means it cannot be at the expense of everybody else's safety
35:41or worse at your own.
35:43All right. So those simple tips like that we give you, whether it's seatbelts,
35:47again, speed limit,
35:49designate driver, don't drink and drive, drink responsibly.
35:54Those are life saving tips and stuff.
35:56You know, you mentioned the point.
35:58Do you find that the state is doing enough to educate?
36:02Oh, I don't know. You tell me.
36:04No, I don't. I don't think so.
36:05I mean, yes, it's there, as they always say.
36:08You could go online and you have access to get the information.
36:13But let's be really public.
36:14It's not going to do that.
36:15Even though you're just saying it's there, doesn't mean people
36:19or the majority of the citizens are going.
36:22That's all. Let me see what is going on in the regulations.
36:24So they keep up to date.
36:25I can tell you honestly, I've not done that.
36:27Yeah, I went a basic on when I started driving the rules and regulations.
36:31If I see a sign or entry, don't turn down here.
36:34If it indicates it's not working, I need to fix it.
36:36In the case of that, I use hand signals left and right
36:39and show an indication of slowing down when to use hazard.
36:42So I know the basics.
36:43But to say I'm going online.
36:46I mean, I mean, with this show, we're living right now.
36:49Well, because how long have you been around?
36:52Like almost 10 years or a little over 10 years.
36:54I can't. Again and again with including traffic safety education
36:59as part of its mandate, because the mandate of policing
37:03is public safety and always will be. And don't get me wrong.
37:05We will always strive to do more.
37:09We know that the National Road Safety Council with the Ministry of Works
37:12and Transport is planning a more robust
37:16initiatives going into the schools because it's generational.
37:20That's what we're going to try and target.
37:22But we also know that even through Work by Arrival Live
37:25that is constantly going to schools.
37:26I mean, when you see the websites and the amount of schools
37:29that they've been visiting, it's really impressive to know
37:33that they're genuinely trying to change that culture.
37:37You know, that that culture sometimes I use the word ignorance.
37:39You might say naivety.
37:41Yes. Right. But at the same time, we all we know what's right from wrong.
37:45I think you could spend a little US and do a boost on social media.
37:50Right. To get like information out.
37:52And that might actually work.
37:54I'll talk to them in a little 15 US.
37:56Yeah. And you could get a boost of information to get out there.
38:01I just want to even the I would say PSAs, which run during our news
38:06and constantly telling people on all these issues.
38:09So we will not stop trying.
38:11The goal is always zero.
38:13And until we hit that goal, we will always have that work to do.
38:16And you'll be relaxed. Let's take a break.
38:18We'll be back TNT.
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39:25So people in the end, the guests didn't come.
39:28But we should not be surprised.
39:29He just couldn't speak the truth.
39:31So he didn't do it.
39:32But I won't back down.
39:34No, I'll never surrender.
39:37Listen and listen very clearly.
39:39Trinidad and Tobago will always be first.
39:42There's the door.
39:43You can close it on your way out.
39:46I was made to.
39:48Are those crocodile tears?
39:50Crocodile tears? Really?
39:52This is a sport that will rotate.
39:59Andre Errol Batiste, born for this.
40:07And we are back.
40:09I remember you all could give us a call as well.
40:11Now, Sergeant Batson, the conversation continues about the accidents,
40:15the RTs that we are seeing throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
40:18And the increase, the scary increase that, you know, we are seeing persons
40:21being in serious accidents, persons are losing their lives,
40:26which is the main thing, because someone's life is priceless.
40:29And we are seeing that.
40:30And we are seeing that.
40:31And we are seeing that.
40:32And we are seeing that.
40:33And we are seeing that.
40:34And we are seeing that.
40:35Someone's life is priceless, but it is scary to me
40:39because it's not scaring others when they see people dying
40:43because of reckless driving.
40:45Yeah, I'm not just reckless driving, but being under the influence of alcohol,
40:50drugs, even just being tired and not understanding that.
40:54No, you know what?
40:55If I want to turn up like this, let me find someone who could take me home
41:00or someone or someone who is responsible enough to get everybody home.
41:04Right. And that's but that's conscious decision making, isn't it?
41:07And when we see these collisions on the highway, patrol
41:11has to respond to some of the worst ones,
41:14because remember, we're dealing with the highest speeds.
41:17I want to deal with the highest speeds and people that are driving
41:20beyond speeds like a hundred kilometers an hour.
41:23The consequences are going to be much more severe to the human body.
41:27I always remind people that even when pedestrians
41:30used to cross the highway when it was 80,
41:33you know, they would survive.
41:34They end up in the hospital at 100.
41:36It is impossible for the human body to survive that impact.
41:40And even with God's help, when you're on the highway
41:43and you're seeing people sometimes taking these chances, weaving in
41:47and out in traffic, endangering other people, we encourage you.
41:51Highway Patrol will tell you, call 999 and you hear the screams
41:55of the members of the family.
41:59That's a trauma we do not want anybody to experience.
42:06What hurts us is that it's preventable.
42:09The resources we tie up sometimes to respond to these things.
42:12You know, people say, well, why don't you fight crime?
42:14OK, well, tell you what, if you all drive safely.
42:18Right. We could be out there more to intercept criminals.
42:21But I have to block off trillions of a highway now
42:24because you decide to take a chance on drink and drive, lose control,
42:27crash into the pole.
42:29Now I have to cone off a highway, stop people for sometimes hours
42:33as we wait for a DMO fire services to wash down the road
42:36or leaking in the road and stuff.
42:37We have to make it safe.
42:39Wow. Well, because you are the only one on the road.
42:43All right. It's in your house.
42:45Well, how about your passengers, though?
42:46You don't care about them as well.
42:48Yeah. We have a call on the line.
42:50Let's take that call at this time.
42:51Hello. Good evening.
42:52Hello. Good afternoon. Good evening. Excellent.
42:55I have a question for Sergeant Batson.
42:59What about the drivers driving on the highway
43:02on rainy, rainy rain with the hazard light on?
43:06Driving on the highway, the rain is falling, hazard light on.
43:09We'd like to see about that.
43:10Yes. OK. OK. Thank you. All right. Great.
43:15Thanks for that point, Kola, because it was something that actually
43:19slipped me when we spoke about driving in adverse conditions.
43:23Sometimes it could be rain.
43:26Sometimes it could be in dry season where there's a lot of smoke,
43:29you know, want to reduce visibility.
43:32So all drivers, please understand.
43:38Your best practice and reduced visibility situations.
43:42What does that mean?
43:43It's raining, it's raining heavy.
43:46You put on your headlights to increase your visibility.
43:49Could be park lights.
43:50Those you want to put on your curb lights or fog lights.
43:53That's fine, too.
43:54But you do not put on your hazard lights.
43:57The reason being,
43:59and a lot of cases, people forget they have the headlight
44:02that has the lights on when they attempt to change lanes
44:06and drivers are confused when you think you have your indicator on
44:10and you're pulling across the driver.
44:11So, you know, you have both your indicators on.
44:15All right. They're not mind readers.
44:17So just remember, international best practice driving in heavy rains,
44:22lights on, wipers on.
44:24That's it.
44:24Even in the fog, in certain parts of the country.
44:27Lights on, wipers on and increase following distance.
44:30You have another call. Let's take that call.
44:32Hello. Good evening.
44:33Lights on, wipers on.
44:35Hello.
44:37Yes. Hello.
44:38Hi. Good evening. Go ahead.
44:39Good evening. Yes.
44:41I would like you to mention the address, the website to go and check
44:44for the information, please, because
44:47I know you said it before, but I need to get it right now, please.
44:49Sure. OK, thank you.
44:52So the ministry works on transport.
44:53Yeah. So the ministry works on transport.
44:56Again, just to remind everybody, amendments to the Motor Vehicle
44:59Road Traffic Act falls under the ministry works on transport
45:03and the minister works on transport.
45:05So there's the driving TT dot com.
45:10That's the website that goes through all the changes in the legislation.
45:13It has everything to educate you on the different traffic violations
45:16as well as traffic offenses.
45:18All right. Those are the things that you could be arrested or charged for.
45:21And the traffic violations, everything that you could get a ticket for.
45:24It also has all the information that have the points,
45:27which ones have points, which don't have points.
45:30So it's a really, really good idea that you visited.
45:32You could also visit Arrival Live,
45:36Arrival Live's website.
45:37That's Arrival Live TT dot com, I believe.
45:39There's also the ministry works on transport legal page, which has
45:43which usually has copies of the acts itself.
45:45If you want to educate yourself more on the law.
45:48The TTPS also has some tips on its Facebook page as well,
45:51as well as some of the some of the I would say videos.
45:55So those are some of the avenues.
45:56And forgot to mention, the ministry works has their driver permits
46:01and vehicle registration verification website that you can visit
46:06and you can see how much points are on your license
46:09and you can see how much points maybe you have teenage kids who are driving
46:13and maybe they got tickets, but you don't know.
46:15Yes. Yeah. You could actually check that.
46:16You could actually check that, right?
46:18You have another call.
46:19Let's take that call.
46:21Hello. Good evening.
46:22Yes. Good evening.
46:24Good evening. So
46:25thank you for taking my call.
46:27Very good program.
46:30Educating the public about the use of the road.
46:34I might be a bit philosophical here, but you test
46:38the tone and the character of a society by the way we drive.
46:43Right. Very, very important.
46:45But more than that,
46:47there seems to be a bit of confusion.
46:49Sometimes I am stopping at the flashing amber light. Right.
46:56And with the persons on the red light, they are going through.
46:59Right. And if you're on the red light and you stop people playing the horn
47:03and we must be sure that the people have the amber flashing light
47:08as the as the right. Am I correct?
47:11But in the back of the other way around,
47:13to let the people, the people with the flashing red light
47:16want to go through and give the amber light.
47:17You know, they are afraid to go through because people have flashing red light.
47:21Don't you?
47:22Tell me if I'm wrong, I'm charging.
47:25Have a nice day and continue a good program.
47:27Thank you. Sure.
47:29But so again, I guess it goes back to your point of more education is needed.
47:35Right. So a good example of downtown Port of Spain, I think it's on Duke Street
47:40where they have the flashing ambers and the flashing red. Right.
47:44So what does the law say?
47:47Where is a flashing amber and a flashing red light?
47:51The traffic that has facing the flashing amber has right away.
47:56OK, it has right away.
47:57They are to proceed, but with caution, because it's because it's still flashing.
48:02Right. Right.
48:02So and therefore you have people that might not interpret it.
48:05So you are correct in your interpretation, sir.
48:08Under what the road traffic.
48:09So just to be clear, Amber, even though you're slowing down with caution,
48:13that person has the right to you have right away.
48:16Once you have a light facing you, once it's flashing red light is facing you.
48:21You have to stop and give way to the traffic that has a flashing.
48:24OK. All right.
48:26So that's why it's what they call a traffic
48:29management system using the electronic signals.
48:31Right. By giving a right away system, as you would with a roundabout,
48:35you have to give way to that traffic coming.
48:37And it's correct.
48:38Sometimes the problem is when people go through on that flashing red,
48:42you end up with a train of traffic that ends up going through that flashing red.
48:47And then you who's supposed to have right to end up waiting
48:49as if you're the one who's supposed to yield.
48:51So you're correct.
48:52And thanks for bringing that up as well.
48:55As I mentioned that, folks,
48:58we again getting more incident reports of small accidents at these roundabouts.
49:05Please remember at two lane roundabouts.
49:10You know, I saw I had a graphic of last time, right?
49:13If you're taking the first or second exit, you should be in that outer lane.
49:18If you're proceeding straight or making almost what we call a right angle turn,
49:21then you could be in a lane that the failure to occupy your lanes
49:27in advance is what creates the problem.
49:31And I always tell people, even if you get locked up in the roundabout,
49:33don't stay on your roundabout till you get an exit.
49:36Don't try and push your way off and hit somebody, God forbid,
49:40who's still in the roundabout trying to exit off.
49:42You know, it just requires some patience.
49:43Quick question.
49:45So you said if you're exiting the roundabout,
49:49you have to be on the outer lane of the two lane roundabout, right?
49:52You have to know which exit you're taking.
49:53No, well, if you come into, let's just say we're using as an example, the first exit.
49:56I'm exiting here.
49:57You should be on the outer lane on your approach.
49:59On your right. So you're coming off of, well, you're not on the roundabout yet.
50:03You're now coming onto the roundabout.
50:05And you're now looking to make your first exit off the roundabout.
50:09You have to be on the outer lane of the two lane roundabout.
50:12But if you are not exiting and you want to continue making your right on the roundabout
50:17and you're on the outer lane, you can't be on the outer lane.
50:19You shouldn't be.
50:20You shouldn't be.
50:21You shouldn't be.
50:21And that's what creates the confusion in these roundabouts.
50:24Sorry to hear that.
50:25Well, I just say that's what creates the confusion.
50:28And that's what causes some people to panic.
50:30And I don't know why they panic in the roundabout.
50:32Okay.
50:33Don't push to get off.
50:34Yes, you might look like a crazy person driving on the roundabout.
50:36That's okay.
50:37All right.
50:37Once you prevent the accident and you get where you're going, that's what matters the most.
50:42All right, guys.
50:42We need to take a break.
50:43And when we come back, we will wrap things up.
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52:40And we are back.
52:41Sergeant Markson, you have the opportunity, of course,
52:43to reinforce the information as best as you can.
52:46And anything else you left out?
52:47Do you think the public needs to know when it comes to road safety?
52:50Sure.
52:52You know, on behalf of the Senior Superintendent of Traffic and Highway Patrol Branch,
52:57Mr. David Powder, and all the Highway Patrol officers,
52:59hardworking Highway Patrol officers,
53:02we're going into the weekend.
53:03You know, we're halfway through 2024.
53:07And if we keep this trajectory with regards to our road traffic deaths,
53:12unfortunately, it means we will surpass last year's road death figure.
53:17For the level of enforcement that is out there with regards to 54,
53:21over 54,000 traffic tickets that's been issued,
53:25it's not because the police aren't present.
53:28And to be honest,
53:30we should not have to be present to tell you to stop at a stop line.
53:33We shouldn't have to be present to tell you to put on a seat belt.
53:36You should want to do that
53:38because that's your main form of defense in the event of a crash.
53:43It has nothing to do with how safe you think you are as a driver.
53:47You have other persons who, unfortunately, will not obey rules.
53:51And these are the little things that's going to make a big difference
53:54in whether or not, one, you prevent a collision,
53:56or two, you survive that crash.
53:59To our young drivers, remember,
54:02one, distracted driving is a dangerous,
54:06a very dangerous practice right now.
54:08When I got my driver's license,
54:10I didn't have to wonder if anybody was on a cell phone at an intersection.
54:13I didn't have to wonder if somebody's replying to a WhatsApp.
54:17That risk didn't exist.
54:19That risk is now absolutely engulfed in every single part of lifestyle now.
54:27And unfortunately, it's also infiltrated into driving.
54:31And I want you to understand what that risk is.
54:33It means you can't assume that that person saw you.
54:37You can't assume when you step out as a pedestrian onto that road
54:41that that driver observed you trying to cross in that crosswalk
54:44because you don't know what they're doing.
54:45They could be on their phone.
54:47They're talking to somebody.
54:49So just make sure as pedestrians,
54:52you establish clear line of contact where you have a positive sign
54:56that that vehicle has stopped to let you cross.
54:59Other than that, do not step off that pavement.
55:02Persons who are driving motor vehicles, trucks,
55:05speed limits are critical.
55:07Speed is what makes a difference out there,
55:10whether or not you live or die,
55:11or whether or not other people live or die.
55:13So we're begging you, pay attention to your speed limits.
55:16Pay attention to your speedometer.
55:18Pay attention to the conditions that you're driving under.
55:21When you're outside there with kids, you're enjoying your weekend,
55:25make sure they're in the child seats.
55:27Make sure everybody's buckled up.
55:28Like I said, it's not law for rear seat occupants to buckle up,
55:31but it only makes sense.
55:33It's a best practice, and we're encouraging persons to do it.
55:36And like I said, we will be lobbying the Ministry of Works and Transport
55:39to bring rear seat legislation because it only makes sense.
55:42We're asking everybody to support the TTPS
55:45and all traffic law enforcement units in our efforts to make the road safer.
55:49Wonderful.
55:50Thank you so much, Sergeant Brent Barton, of course,
55:53our road safety coordinator for the TTPS,
55:56and we appreciate you.
55:57And I know that you have the opportunity also,
56:00if persons may have a number that they could call to get more information.
56:04Even if you have a...
56:05You know, we recommend persons who are saying
56:07that they saw a drunk driver on the road,
56:10driving recklessly, by call 999.
56:13We have responded many times to reports of reckless driving
56:17just for the 999 command center.
56:21And of course, we always appreciate you coming here.
56:23I know you start from, what, 4 in the morning?
56:27But I know you start extremely early,
56:30and you're always on the road trying to make sure persons understand
56:34the importance of protecting themselves when they're on the road.
56:36And of course, pedestrians understand your role and function as well,
56:39because you have to protect yourself.
56:41Also, sometimes you may have a driver thinking
56:43they're supposed to know better, but they don't at times.
56:47So also educate yourself about the road safety
56:50right here in Trinidad and Tobago.
56:52So I pray that you'll have an enjoyable weekend,
56:54a safe one.
56:55Make yourself an extremely hot target.
56:57Remember, Sergeant Barton and his entire team
56:59will be out throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
57:02So let's not give up our points, demerit points, all right?
57:06Let's do the right thing, TNT.
57:07Have an enjoyable weekend.
57:08Up next, we get ready for news, starting at 7 o'clock.
57:11TNT always remember, be pure and just,
57:14and have God in your life no matter what.
57:15God bless all of you, and we'll see you back on.
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