Accident victim’s father pushing for road safety

The tragic death of 32-year-old Lamar Blades at the prime of his life will not be in vain, if his father gets his way.

Though broken at his beloved son’s untimely passing, retired assistant superintendent of police Leon Blades intends to ensure that Barbados takes action to improve road safety.

“I am hoping his death will be a blessing for somebody. Our loss may be somebody else’s gain, the public of Barbados’ gain, because there are so many laws in road safety that can be done to make the road safer – so many programmes that can be done and nothing is being done,” he said in an interview with Barbados TODAY.

Blades, who served in the Royal Barbados Police Force for 45 years, a major portion of that in traffic management, made the dreaded visit to the accident scene at Bank Hall Cross Road and Bank Hall Main Road, in St Michael in the early hours of Sunday morning to identify his son who had hours before rubbed his father’s head and told him he was going out with friends.

“Around 2:20 a.m., we were awakened by a telephone call – my wife and I, we were asleep. We would have gone to bed around 11:15 – 11:30 and this call came in and I heard the conversation and then she [shook] me violently. But I was up because the call woke me and I said something has to be wrong,” he recalled.

Blades journeyed to the scene where former colleagues offered him support as he viewed his son’s body.

“The vehicle was badly damaged. I peeped and I saw my son,” he said.

The trained traffic specialist, who has observed scores of similar scenes, did not break down there and then but hours later, in the comfort of his home, he allowed the tears to flow as it hit him that his son was gone.

“I thank God for that strength to keep me going. I only felt bad when I heard the information on the radio and then I realized that is my son, that is my flesh and blood that gone. He no longer exists, I can’t talk to him anymore, it is only his memory that lives on.

“But I thank God for life and for the strength to go forward and I will support my family…. When I started to cry, I just let the tears roll because I wasn’t pretending; it hurt me then,” the former officer said.

Blades described his son as an obedient and loving child.

“We would talk as father and son to help him focus on life. He would appreciate it. He was loving, he would come and play with my head even if I vex with him. He loved his two sisters, he has a brother overseas. He believed in his nieces, he liked his family, most of all he loved his mother.”

Blades reflected on the fact that he has been working on a training course for instructors and Lamar would have been one of his students.

“I was hoping to get him on it and one or two of his friends and I would give them my knowledge so that they can understand what it takes to be a driving instructor,” he said.

However, the tragedy won’t deter Blades who said that with ten road deaths so far this year, authorities must take action.

He said he was willing to drive a programme involving retired police officers that would ensure errant drivers no longer just pay a fine for traffic offences but are also able to upgrade their skills.

“[If] a driver has to pay a fine of $150, pay $100 to the court, the other $50 you pay for remedial driver training so you benefit both ways. You will be fined and you will be given knowledge and when you go back on the road you get a certificate. I have enough personnel to help. All we want is a location and we can run it, get people to understand the importance of safety on the roads,” he said.

Blades is also advocating that authorities amend laws that permit someone to teach a student after just three years of holding a driver’s licence.

“We can do better if these things are addressed,” Blades said, adding that education about road safety should start with the nation’s children.

“I just want to educate tomorrow’s drivers; tomorrow’s drivers start with today’s children. It’s like an investment in their future…Let’s make a change to invest in road safety,” he added. (SD)