Tackling traffic accidents: why we must focus on drivers

The newly appointed Home Secretary is reported to have taken two major steps to seek information on the chaos on our roads, which is causing loss of property but more seriously, loss of life and limb.

He traveled on the road incognito, his vehicle was stopped by the police and it was discovered that his driver had not violated any traffic laws, so he was waved to continue his journey.

Apparently, the Minister was impressed by this behavior and congratulated the traffic police for their activity.

However, it needs to make more incognito presence on the roads. You may discover that all is not well.

Furthermore, it was reported that the Minister called a meeting with senior officials of his Ministry to discuss and find a solution to the escalation of accidents on the roads.

There are surely many factors that contribute to traffic accidents, including road quality, vehicle quality, weather conditions, visibility, vehicle loading, behavior of other road users, unexpected events and others.

But, despite all these factors, drivers are the main cause of accidents. A good driver will take all of the above conditions into account when on the road and adjust their driving accordingly.

Our drivers may not meet the status of being considered drivers. It is better to see them as “motor vehicle operators.”

A true driver always thinks of others and will never take any action that is dangerous to his passengers or other road users.

We may need to realize that most of our drivers have never been on the road in situations where driving and traffic laws and regulations are enforced and respected by all road users.

Many are self-taught motor vehicle drivers, whose companions are other unruly road users.

For many of our drivers, speeding, overtaking in dangerous circumstances, failing to observe warning signs and threatening other road users are acts of heroism.

A driver who respects road rules is considered timid and a bearer of “ruralism” (ushamba).

Blinding other drivers with high beams and threatening them with blaring horns is considered normal behavior.

For me, the worst drivers are those who drive long-distance buses, who literally push other drivers off the road whenever they feel like it.

Truck drivers come second, especially considering that modern trucks can travel very fast. Unfortunately, public vehicle drivers are also among the “best” lawbreakers on the roads.

When you add daladalas, bajaj and motorcycles (bodabodas), you have a perfect recipe for chaos.

Measures must be taken to instil discipline in our drivers. Public education is important.

Peer drivers should be taken on study trips to see how discipleship looks on the road in countries where this is the case. Schemes to reward exemplary drivers may be useful.

On the other hand, before one is entrusted with driving, there must be a system to check whether one is mentally stable. All drivers must swear under oath that they obey the driving rules.

The commission of traffic violations must be linked to the driver’s other interests, such as insurance, licenses, employment elsewhere, holding public office, etc.

Penalties for traffic violations should be very harsh. Jail sentences should replace fines; and crimes that cause death should be directly considered involuntary manslaughter.

Enforcement of traffic laws must be improved. The use of speed limits and cameras is imposed at the same time, but soon forgotten. Because? Even in the most developed countries, traffic laws are rigorously enforced and those who break them face dire consequences.

Vehicle owners must be part of law enforcement. They should take action against their recalcitrant drivers or face the consequences themselves.

It also seems that there is some lobby that is undermining the enforcement of traffic laws. The removal of the restriction on night movement of passenger buses was greeted with jubilation among drivers, who said they could now drive at any speed as the traffic police and their flashlights would be off the road. Possibly bribery is at play.

The government is doing a good job, improving road infrastructure and fixing dead spots on the roads. But, without disciplined drivers, road improvements can result in higher speeds and more careless driving.

Let’s not look for witches elsewhere. A disciplined force of drivers will see a drop in road accidents.