Avoiding Collisions in Barbados

By Leon G. Blades and Mark R. Corbin

A practical book with tips on defensive driving, commentary driving, and avoiding undesirable behavior like drinking alcohol and driving. "Avoiding Collisions in Barbados" is effectively asking their readers to think about the road environment and the decisions taken when they get behind the wheel of a vehicle. You will be well equipped with knowledge to respond to various hazards encountered when driving in Barbados.

The book covers a wide range of road safety topics in a wide variety of circumstances, easily understood by the readers. It is highly recommended to all readers, including learner or student drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, small, medium, and large vehicle drivers, PSV drivers, and all operators of any kind of vehicle. It is specifically aimed of users of the road network in Barbados but could be applied in any jurisdiction across the Caribbean.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Dec 30, 2022
• ISBN: 9781739195212

Book preview

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Figure 1. Major road network of Barbados including the ABC Highways and other strategic roads.

Copyright © 2022 Leon G. Blades and Mark R. Corbin.

Published by Leon G. Blades and Mark R. Corbin

All rights reserved.

Cover and Book design by Mark R. Corbin

Tire track splash by longquattro courtesy of 123rf

Proofreading and Editing by Fay Wharton - Opportune Proofreading and Editing Services

No part of this book can be reproduced in any form by written, electronic, or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording, or by any information retrieval system without written permission in writing by the author.

Printed by Prestige Print and Trading Limited

Block A, Building #3, Pine Industrial Estate, St. Michael, Barbados.  BB11103

Printed in Barbados.

ISBN: 978-1-7391952-0-5 (printed book)

ISBN 978-1-7391952-1-2 (eBook)

Contents

Table of Contents

Foreword - Ministry of Transport, Works and Water Resources

Foreword - Barbados Police Service

Why This Book?

Leon’s Loss

Part I

How it All Started

Part II

Setting Out on Your Journey

Part III

The Road Environment

Part IV

Rules of the Road

Part V

Conclusion

About the Authors

Notes

Figure Attributions

Foreword - Ministry of Transport, Works and Water Resources

Graphical user interface, text, application, Word Description automatically generated I am pleased to have been asked to share a few words for this book. It is a resource that needed to be written as I believe it is the first Bajan book that speaks specifically on how we as road users can keep ourselves and others safe while using the roadways, from the unique Barbados perspective, and environment.

I have known the main author, Leon Blades, both professionally and personally for over thirty years - from enjoying many hours at ballroom dance classes to collaborating with him on traffic management and road safety matters at the Ministry and with the Barbados Road Safety Association and the Barbados National Road Safety Council. It has been a pleasure and a rewarding experience to work with him. He willingly shares his experiences and recognizes the importance of teaching Barbados’ youth as he firmly believes as the Bible says in Isaiah 11:6b …a little child shall lead them. Leon attacks every activity with which he is involved with enthusiasm and gives it his fullest and most dedicated attention. He gets the job done and done well. This book continues that high standard.

This book was created partly in response to tragic road fatality events which its contributors have experienced over their careers; unfortunately, these included their personal loss of loved ones. The fact that Leon completed this work, dedicated to the memory of his dear son, is a testament to how deeply he cares about sharing his significant knowledge in this area and the importance he has placed on finding innovative ways to help minimize the carnage on our roads. He is passionate about the subject and it is clearly demonstrated throughout this book.

As you read it, you will discover how Leon developed his skills as a Collision Investigation Officer and as an instructor with the then Royal Barbados Police Force. He shares details of some crash sites he attended and anecdotes of his encounters with road users, pointing out the lessons he learnt from them. You will receive practical tips on defensive driving, commentary driving, and avoiding undesirable behaviour like drinking alcohol and driving. He also uses scenarios effectively to get the reader to THINK and to read the road correctly; all of which will equip you to respond appropriately to various hazardous situations that could arise on your journey.

This book is a fine companion document to the Highway Code and is a useful tool for linking with the Road Traffic Regulations. You are encouraged to read it and use the information contained within it.

Cheryl Bennett-Inniss

Chief Technical Officer

Ministry of Transport, Works and Water Resources

BSc. (Hons.) Civil Engineering, UWI, St. Augustine

M.Eng. Transportation, University of California, Berkeley

Foreword - Barbados Police Service

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Anyone who lives in, or visits Barbados, is well advised to read this book — Avoiding Collisions in Barbados. It is a book about road safety and one that purposefully challenges road users to best practices. The authors by delving into their respective professional and personal experiences have acknowledged that road safety is not a one-time learning activity, as evident on the receipt of a driving licence or buying a vehicle, but is in fact, a continuous learning process for all, through the inculcation of higher standards of safety when on the road.

The book moves beyond the classroom setting to the roads of Barbados, and it does so by blending the theory with the road user applications.  It accepts that drivers and indeed road users habitually behave with some desired level of risk, as they make decisions that enable them to plan and complete the journey with maximum safety and minimum inconvenience.  Clearly, safety is not only inextricably linked to engineering and enforcement, but more importantly, to education. Such, no doubt, underpins the overarching objective of reducing collisions, casualties, and fatalities whether in Barbados or elsewhere.

So, the question posed is, Do you think you know how to drive? I suggest that thinking only is not driving. Were you to read this book, you will realise that driving requires focusing on positive consequences of appropriate behaviour.

Thus, road users’ education and training are key. Let us work together for safer streets, remembering that our roads should always be safe places.

I do commend the authors for their vision in bringing together and sharing this information, and I am confident that the purpose of the book will be met. Read on — a wonderful work.

Erwin Boyce, MBA

Deputy Commissioner of Police

Barbados Police Service

BA (Hons.) University of the West Indies

Why This Book?

To be involved in a road traffic collision is a frightening and traumatic experience for the victim, the person at fault, and any witnesses. Therefore, how can you reduce your involvement?

These collisions occur for various reasons especially when drivers fail to change their habits to adapt to changing weather conditions, poor or limited visibility, hazardous road conditions, the unpredictable nature of other road users, and of course, poor driving. The elements of poor driving that most often contribute are inattentiveness, speeding, driving when tired or unwell, and inexperience of the