WHY ARE BARBADIANS PAYING ROAD TAX WHEN MOST ROADS ARE FULL OF HOLES, RUGGED, AND UNFIT TO DRIVE ON?

 

Barbadians have long adapted themselves in being a resilient people, hardworking, resourceful, and tolerant. 

But there comes a time when tolerance feels more like quiet suffering, especially when it comes to the state of our roads and the question that burns on every driver's mind.

Why are we still paying road tax when many of our streets are barely drivable?

The Purpose of Road Tax

In theory, road tax exists to fund the maintenance, repair, and development of road infrastructure. 

It's supposed to ensure that when citizens pay into the system, the system works for them, delivering safe, efficient, and smooth roadways for private vehicles, public transport, and commercial activity. 

That’s how it’s meant to work, but if you’ve driven anywhere across Barbados lately, you’ll know the reality is a very different story.

Crumbling Roads, Mounting Frustration

From St. Lucy to Christ Church, potholes have become as familiar as coconut trees.

Some roads look like they’ve been through a war zone, cracked, eroded, uneven, and in some areas, downright dangerous. 

The situation has escalated beyond inconvenience. 

It now threatens the safety of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.

Suspensions are getting battered, tires are bursting, and vehicles are aging faster than they should. 

It's not like the government is going to reimburse individuals for all vehicles that are damaged on its roads.

And while the cost of living rises, Barbadians are forced to fork out even more money on car repairs, on top of paying road tax.

Where’s the Accountability?

The core issue isn’t just the state of the roads. It’s the lack of transparency and accountability around how taxpayer money is being used. 

If citizens are being charged for road use and maintenance, then they deserve to see visible and consistent results. They deserve answers:

• Where is the road tax money going?
• What percentage of it is allocated to actual road maintenance?
• Why are some areas repeatedly fixed while others are neglected for decades?

These are not unreasonable questions. These are basic questions about fairness, governance, and value for money.

The Cost of Poor Infrastructure

Bad roads don’t just affect cars, they affect lives. 

They slow down emergency response times, make public transport uncomfortable and unreliable, and hurt small businesses that rely on mobility. 

Tourists, upon whom our economy heavily depends, are also taking note. 

And in a country where every cent counts, inefficiency like this bleeds national productivity.

Poor roads cost far more in the long term than maintaining them ever would.

What Needs to Happen

1. Greater Transparency: The government needs to communicate how road tax funds are being used and provide regular updates on roadwork plans and budgets.
2. Public Oversight: Citizens should be empowered to hold authorities accountable through civic groups, town halls, and digital platforms for reporting road issues.
3. Proactive Maintenance: We need a long-term plan—not reactive patch jobs, but proper resurfacing and modern drainage infrastructure to prevent recurring damage.
4. Equity in Repairs: Every parish deserves attention, not just high-traffic or high-profile areas. Road maintenance must be equitable.

Barbadians are not asking for miracles, they’re asking for what they already paid for. 

A functioning road system is not a luxury, it is a basic necessity. 

Until that is prioritized, the question will keep echoing louder across the island.

Why are we still paying road tax, when the roads are punishing us for it?

It’s time for answers, it’s time for action, and it’s time we demanded better, not just for ourselves, but for the generations who deserve to drive on roads we can all utilize, that is ever so often being paid for.