Dear Editor,

Recently there was a three-vehicle collision, two cars and a truck. Everyone was happy no one died, but what about those who survived? What will be the quality of life for them?

Statistics tend to look at the number of dead not the survivors. We know how many are killed each year in motor vehicle accidents, but do we keep a record of those who live and the quality of life they have after.

On May 14, 2024 there was a motor vehicle crash in the parish of Portland, two children died, but one survived. As reported in the Jamaica Observer of August 5, 2024, the hospital discharged the survivor on July 16 in a state of total dependence. To take care of him will cost the family $24 million per year; yes, approximately $500,000 per week, $2 million per month.

A sum that is far beyond the income of the average Jamaican unless you are scamming, in drugs, construction, or have an extremely well-paying job or a good business. The average salary paid or wage earner can’t afford this, so how does he/she survive.

What about the others? Others? The ones with different types of injuries and different stages of recovery. You see, many survive, but at what cost.

Broken bones, loss of limbs, mental challenges, paralysis, lifelong pain, loss of memory, long-term rehab, speech therapy, physiotherapy, financial challenges, loss of income, family dysfunction, and the list goes on.

Someone survived an accident, injured his shoulder, the cost to repair is $3 million. Fortunately for him he had help. To repair the damage in the public hospital he would have had to wait six months to get a slot for surgery. By that time the shoulder would have, as Jamaicans say, “soured”.

A few years ago there was a young man, 26 years old, who was paralysed from the neck down, who will take care of him? The hospital could not keep him forever, so who will? The burden on the health sector, families, and other agencies is heavy.

National Road Safety Council (NRSC) encourages, educates, speaks, and walks the streets to plead with drivers. The traffic police stand on the roadside. People slow down as they pass the officer, then speed up again.

What are the main cause of road crashes? According to the NRSC, driving under the influence, speeding, and poor overtaking seem to be the major ones. I would throw in sleeping and tiredness too.

What can be done to stop the carnage? I don’t know. Can we be more vigilant? Can we be our brother’s keeper so he does not drink and drive? Each person can vow to be the best defensive driver they can be, but what about the other driver who falls asleep?

Make more laws? No, we are no good at enforcement. So what is the answer? I don’t know. Do you? And here is the challenge, the survivor could one day be you.

Shirley Nelson

nelsenbless@gmail.com