adminThe major causes of accidents on our roads are speeding, drink driving and use of defective and unworthy vehicles.
There are also a number of things that other drivers do that are extremely irritating and dangerous. Such bad and frequently annoying habits include bad tailgating, poor lane discipline, not indicating, overtaking on blind spots and curves.
Aside from inconveniencing other road users, this kind of inconsiderate driving is also very dangerous.
Because most traffic accidents are the product of several factors, there is high probability that accidents can be reduced in a number of different ways.
It is against this background that the recent decision by Government to tighten traffic regulations, with a view to reduce road carnage, should be heeded to.
The new regulations make it illegal for anyone to drive vehicles without spare wheels, reflective triangles, tools kit and fire extinguishers. Additionally, no vehicle should be fitted with more than two spot lights.
Those who flout the regulations, if convicted are liable to a fine or imprisonment.
The main goal is not to punish anyone, but rather to encourage civic responsibility and to build working relationships by road users.
This will take a lot of effort by a lot of people. Everyone has a very important role to play. We believe this development has the potential to deliver without it costing a fortune. But, these benefits will not come easy, just getting one law passed is not enough.
There is need to change our road law enforcing system, starting with the manner traffic cops conduct themselves at roadblocks. Most roadblocks have ceased serving their purposes.
Everyone who has used public transport system will attest that roadblocks have ceased to be checkpoints where a vehicle’s road worthiness is tested and corrective measures taken. Police officers have instead turned them into “toll-gates” to raise money particularly from public transport operators.
Why is it that each time a cop at a roadblock flags down a commuter omnibus, bus or pirating vehicle, the driver stops several metres away from the police and then runs back to the officers?
Why is it that the driver or conductor returns almost immediately after extending a hand shake with one of the police officer and drives off?
The new regulations might be right, but for as long as this cancer is not dealt with, they will not yield intended consequences. Instead, the new regulations may give traffic cops more ammunition to terrorise motorists. Though belatedly, we fully agree with Senior Assistant Commission Charity Charamba’s directive barring bus crews from disembarking from their vehicles to curb corruption.
However, we feel more needs to be done to make this order judicious.
You cannot make an order without legally making it enforceable as well marrying it to a legal clause criminalising its violation. There is also need for police to spell out how they will deal with unscrupulous elements that would grab motorists’ drivers’ licences as well as detain them for long times at the blockades. Police need to implement a fool proof surveillance system to ensure that motorists don’t fall prey to these corrupt elements. We feel police should come up with a reasonable time frame within which a vehicle should be stopped at a roadblock as well as having it impounded.
Online Reporter