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MORE SPEED GUNS AND ROAD BLOCKS NEEDED

Jun 23, 2016 Editorial, Features / Columnists

Citing driving under the influence, the use of cell phones and inattentiveness as the major causes of traffic accidents, the Traffic Chief has revealed that traffic fatalities in the country have increased by 50 percent this year compared to the same period last year.

This is alarming and unacceptable. The Ministry of Public Security needs to act swiftly to reduce the carnage on our roads. The current speed limits which were established years ago were intended to reduce accidents and deaths, but most drivers have been ignoring them. Therefore, in order to make the roads safer and reduce accidents and deaths, more traffic police and more speed radars and road blocks are needed.
Road blocks and speed radars are useful tools for the police to reduce speed and enforce compliance with the law. Speed determines the outcome of a crash, whether one lives or dies.
It is estimated that one out of two drivers have violated the legal speed limit on the highways on a daily basis, but only a few are caught and prosecuted. Drunk driving is a major problem in that, it is responsible for a high percent of all road fatalities. Despite tougher laws and higher fines, many continue to drink and drive recklessly with no regard for the safety of others. Speeding and poor road etiquette are symptomatic of the wider social problem of the value people place on one another.
However, it is clear that the government can only do so much. It has imposed stiffer fines and penalties for drunk drivers, provided more speed radars; widen the scope of road safety policing measures and implement stricter standards when determining who gets drivers permits.
It has legislated and implemented measures such as the breathalyzer tests, established road blocks, and the law enforcement agencies have also enforced the law in court. But while some continue to drink and drive recklessly, the reality is that the government cannot supervise each and every driver.
It cannot legislate attitudes and behaviour and it cannot cater for thrill seekers or the extremely reckless and drunk drivers. No matter what, there will always be persons willing to make dangerous choices and to endanger the lives of others.
There is no dispute that the carnage on the roads is a source of untold human suffering. A big part of the problem is the attitude of some drivers, especially the youths who believe that speeding is fun. Data has shown that 48 percent of road fatalities result from speeding, 30 percent from alcohol impairment or drunk driving; 10 percent from the failure to use seatbelt, and five percent for not stopping at red lights or stop signs or jay walking by pedestrians.
Since speed has been identified as the biggest single influential factor in road deaths, the government has to use more speed guns and road blocks in order to curtail the risks imposed by speeding drivers, especially youths.
Enforcement of the current speed limit will lead to a significant reduction of the carnage on the roads but it will not eliminate traffic accidents or road fatalities altogether. However, when used with other enforcement rules such as improper lane use, breach of traffic signals, illegal use of shoulders and turning lanes and overtaking on solid yellow/white lines could result in safer and a calmer driving experience.
These breaches have contributed to unsafe driving and indiscipline on the roadways.
Injuries and deaths caused by traffic accidents are so prevalent globally that the United Nations has declared a World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. Road fatalities are not inevitable and can be prevented.
The government has to implement tougher legislation to enforce all of the traffic laws in the country as well as to develop a national road safety strategy and programmes. In the past, the system vindicated too many reckless and drunk drivers and made a mockery of those advocating for safety and discipline on the nation’s roadways.

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