April 28, 2012Dear Sir,Please kindly publish this letter, which is years overdue: An Open Letter to the parents of Tyaisha Cox.Dear Margaret and Michael,Firstly I share your sense of achievement at the passing of the amendments to the Road Traffic Act. However, my letter is several year’s overdue in letting you know that there are already tangible memorials to Tyaisha at pedestrian crossings near schools and in other areas all over Bermuda. These are the solar powered flashing orange beacons which pedestrians can activate when needing to cross the road. The wireless communication between the two lights on opposite sides of the road can alert drivers from both directions and at some distance, that there are pedestrians waiting to cross the road. I earnestly hope that they are contributing to the safety of our children in Bermuda.At the time of Tyaisha’s death, I was so horrified by the accident that I personally contacted the roads division of Works and Engineering to offer information about these solar powered beacons, earnestly requesting that Government should seriously consider installing them near all school bus stops, or crossings, to prevent the occurrence of another tragedy of this kind. Because they are solar powered they could be installed with minimal disruption to footpaths and no need for costly cable installations. To my great joy, the Government purchased two sets of these beacons, at discount, from my company Bermuda Energy Conservation Ltd, for trial and they appeared, I believe some time in 2004. At that time I did ask if there was any possibility that these beacons could be known locally as Tyaisha Beacons but heard no response to this suggestion. I had hoped that these beacons might be a source of comfort to Tyaisha’s family.It took a while for the decision to be made to purchase another six sets. This was just around the time, in 2005, that I and my husband, Peter Forster, had taken the decision to close down our business, so I gave the Works and Engineering office the direct contact so that they could go ahead and negotiate prices with the Canadian manufacturer. On a recent return to Bermuda (we live overseas now) I was really delighted to see that these beacons have popped up and are being used at pedestrian crossings all over the Island. (Thank you Bermuda Government!)Margaret and Michael, I know that nothing can totally heal your hearts in this tragic loss of your little girl, but I hope that when you see these beacons, you will know that they are only there because another mother, also grieving the loss of a child, took action to try and prevent another tragedy and to perhaps make a memorial for Tyaisha. I am so sorry that it took me so long to let you know the history of these ‘Tyaisha Beacons’, as they might have brought you some comfort sooner. God Bless you.MARGARET DYER FORSTERUK