Off the cuff

In the midst of tragedy there are sometimes some beacons of light. All praise to President Ricardo Martinelli, who rushed to Pacora as soon as he was made aware of the horrific three vehicle accident that took the lives of at least 23 people.

He immediately ordered that the funeral expenses of all the victims and the hospital costs of survivors be met by the state,

A dramatic difference from previous governmental apathy in the face of tragedy.

After the accident near La Cresta, scarred and burned survivors were left to fend for themselves when facing medical bills, and have had to turn to the courts to seek compensation.

Nearly three years later they are still awaiting compensation.

The carnage on Panama’s roads continues unabated, and our public transport system is largely responsible for an increasing death and injury toll.

But driving habits generally by truckers, public vehicles, and private individuals are a national disgrace. Speeding, drunken driving, jumping lights, lack of signals and the use of cell phones, all contribute to unnecessary loss of life.

In the US they have called a summit on bad driving. Good thinking.