Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Feb 11, 2016 News
The death of a four-year-old girl early last month, after her father lost control of his motorcycle, has
once again highlighted the danger of riding without proper safety helmets.
Traffic Chief, Dion Moore, recently urged motorcyclists not to ride unless they have proper helmets.
In the event of an accident, he said, the helmet will offer some protection. “Do not ride unless you have proper safety helmets. They (helmets) will protect you in the event of an accident.”
With respect to towing, the Traffic Chief said that motorcyclists should only carry one person. “A lot of parents are towing very small children. They should desist from this practice; it is not safe for you, the children and the general public.”
On January 14, last, four-year-old Paula Waterman died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), two days after she and her father, Paul, were involved in an accident on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown.
The older Waterman is still hospitalized at the medical facility.
According to information, little Paula was the pillion rider on her father’s motorcycle.
He had just picked her up from school and was heading to purchase food when the motorcycle reportedly suffered a ‘blowout.’ This caused the older Waterman to lose control of his motorcycle and slammed into a utility pole.
The child was flung about 10 feet away from the point of impact, while her father collapsed nearby. They were not wearing helmets.
If they were, there is a possibility, little Paula could have been saved since she died from severe head
injuries.
“This little girl died from multiple injuries; the helmet would have protected her head and her injuries wouldn’t have been so detrimental,” a medical source at the GPHC told this newspaper.
Meanwhile, the Traffic Chief said that during the peak period motorcyclists should remain in their lane when the traffic stops.
“When you come out of your lane, you are causing more obstruction and it takes more time for the traffic to get properly filtered. It is an offence for you to come out and overtake the line of traffic.”
The Traffic Chief stressed that this particular situation is common on the East Bank Demerara, West Coast Demerara and East Coast Demerara.
“It is very prevalent in those areas especially between 07:00 to 8:30 to 09:00 hrs. It is not safe; you are allowing yourself to be in danger with the oncoming traffic.”
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