COMMENT: There is a need to weed out reckless drivers

Holidaymakers are back on the road today as they travel to various tourist destinations to enjoy the New Year with their families and friends.

Some individuals are also travelling to their rural areas to join their families as they celebrate the New Year.

We want to once again remind travellers to exercise extreme caution on our roads given that its raining and the roads are slippery.

A total of 100 people were killed in road traffic accidents between December 15 and 26 this year compared to 77 killed during the same period last year, which is very worrying indeed.

Most of these accidents, which continue to claim lives, have been attributed to reckless driving.

We want to take this opportunity to urge bus drivers and other motorists to strictly observe traffic rules and regulations.

During such public holidays, we have in the past witnessed buses racing on the highways as bus drivers try to outdo each other, thereby putting the lives of passengers and other road users at risk.

There is therefore an urgent need to tame this traffic jungle, which is to blame for the carnage on our roads.

This total disregard for the safety of the travelling public must be stopped forthwith. Government has in the past threatened to withdraw operating licences of buses found flouting traffic rules and regulations but it seems the threat has not been deterrent enough hence the racing continues.

There is therefore a need for the police to rigorously enforce traffic rules and regulations in order to reduce accidents. Public transport operators should also contribute to taming this traffic jungle by ensuring reckless drivers are disciplined. It is now very easy to monitor how drivers conduct themselves on the road because of technology.

The passengers on their part must assist the police by reporting reckless drivers at the next roadblock or police station.

It has been established that more than 80 percent of road traffic accidents are as a result of human error, which means they can be avoided.

There is therefore a need to weed out reckless drivers that have turned our roads into motor racing tracks.

Drivers should appreciate that once they are behind the wheel, they are entrusted with the safety of not only their passengers but other road users as well.

It is also during such public holidays that there is an upsurge in crime hence the need for members of the public to ensure their homes are secure before they leave to enjoy the holidays with their families.

Police have warned that criminals take advantage of homes that are left unattended during the holidays hence the increased cases of housebreaking and theft.

Families have been urged to ensure their homes are secure and should also ask neighbours or the police to check on their houses during their absence.