The Platform of Haitian Human Rights Organizations (POHDH) once more, sounding the alarm about the numerous cases of traffic accidents "Historically, motor vehicle accidents were frequent during the Christmas and New year, however, it is clear that this is no longer the case. At least two accidents are recorded every week especially on National roads and occur in the ordinary moments."

Faced with this recurring problem, indicates the POHDH "provisions have been taken to establish rules governing traffic in order to significantly reduce accidents among other things: signs and traffic lights, codes of road, recycling of drivers and regular inspections of vehicles. Despite all these preventive measures, accidents are regularly recorded, as these minimum requirements are neglected in Haiti."

The Platform for Human Rights explains that the main causes are "the excessive speeding, negligence of drivers, overwork or driving while intoxicated, the lack of control of vehicles, overloading, poor training for certain drivers, poor roads, lack of signage, the use of mobile phones by drivers etc..."

POHDH recalls there exists at least four state institutions, which are responsible for road safety :

• The Office of Vehicle Insurance Against Third (OAVCT) which should make it compulsory for all vehicles to be registered so that it can exercise control over traffic in the country and ensure that victims receive a check of compensation within one month on presentation and analysis of the repair estimate.

• The National Police of Haiti (PNH) through the traffic service, ensures correct operation of vehicles through regular inspections. According to available information, 500 traffic agents are available to enforce traffic rules throughout the territory. "How can we expect proper operation of the service, with a as serious deficiency in human and material resources within the PNH," laments Antonal Mortimé, Executive Secretary of the POHDH

• Town halls that must free the Town halls that must free of commercial sidewalks, develop and build markets and other public spaces for this purpose and control billboards could affect public safety.

• The Ministry of Public Works who is responsible for road maintenance. In this regard the POHDH notes that the roads are not maintained because the mountains of garbage occupy a large part of the road and potholes cause congestion and are responsible for traffic accidents often fatal.

For Antonal Mortimé "without the laxity of authorities, many accidents could have been avoided" as a result, the platform, requires competent authorities to perform their tasks at the best and to assume their responsibilities and proposes a set of recommendations :

• Establish a regular inspection service of all vehicles in partnership with Petrol Stations across the country ;

• Install cameras on all roads ;

• Recycle drivers in fault ;

• Forcing drivers to undergo visual and auditory tests regularly ;

• Building Emergency centers on national roads to provide first aid to victims ;

• Provide training for young people in the field of the Brigade Road and First Aid to support victims of eventual traffic accidents ;

• Increase the number of Traffic officers to ensure a permanent presence of the latter ;

• Ensure that victims of accidents or their dependents may be compensated ;

• Regulate driving schools that do not have permit of operation ;

• Update the Highway Code as well as the last Decree on the Circulation ;

• Make arrangements for the maintenance of primary and secondary roads in the country ;

• On Parliament to enact new laws forcing Public Institutions of road safety to assume their responsibilities vis-à-vis each citizen victim of a traffic accident.

HL/ HaitiLibre