Dear Editor,
Dr Lucien Jones of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC)wants the new road traffic Act now. This call for the minister of transport to pass the new traffic act — that has been languishing in the pipeline for years --is because the NRSC is embarrassed by the carnage on our roads happening under their watch.
Nothing is wrong with making this call, but I think it is a bit late.
Frankly, I think the NRSC is a failure. A failed entity that only pays lip service and use public relations ploys to fool the motoring public. We need more than gas stations announcements.
I think they can do more to coordinate with the police and citizens to identify hot spots for accidents and to have telephone lines to which the public can report road hazards. Too often we see hazards that can create accidents and the NRSC takes no action to avert the potential crisis from happening.
This road traffic Act should not be foisted on the public without a debate. The NRSC should be educating the public as to what the new Act entails. They should be telling the public of the fines that will be imposed on motorist -- more of a sort of revenue generation for the government.
The idea that someone who want a driver's licence has to go through an approved driving course and be first granted a provisional licence for a year makes no sense and would be an additional financial burden to earn the privilege to drive. Earning the privilege to drive on our roads comes with responsibility and accountability. If new drivers commit infractions of the road traffic law then they should be stripped of their licences. It is only then they should be required to go through approved driving instructions before the driving privilege/licence can be restored.
The NRSC would be on target if they want legislation to make it mandatory for motorists who meet in accidents to be given summons/tickets. People who drive without a driver licence, unlicensed/uninsured vehicles must be assessed heavy fines and/or imprisoned. Motorist who leave the scene of an accident must also be charged heavy penalties and/or imprisonment.
The NRC must have ongoing communication with the public telling of the punishment for committing infractions under the road traffic law. In time it will bear fruit for a safe public thoroughfare.
Authnel Reid
authnel_reid@merck.com
crash-.jpg
The scene of a multi-vehicle crash.
Road Safety council must engage motorists
-->
Dr Lucien Jones of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC)wants the new road traffic Act now. This call for the minister of transport to pass the new traffic act — that has been languishing in the pipeline for years --is because the NRSC is embarrassed by the carnage on our roads happening under their watch.
Nothing is wrong with making this call, but I think it is a bit late.
Frankly, I think the NRSC is a failure. A failed entity that only pays lip service and use public relations ploys to fool the motoring public. We need more than gas stations announcements.
I think they can do more to coordinate with the police and citizens to identify hot spots for accidents and to have telephone lines to which the public can report road hazards. Too often we see hazards that can create accidents and the NRSC takes no action to avert the potential crisis from happening.
This road traffic Act should not be foisted on the public without a debate. The NRSC should be educating the public as to what the new Act entails. They should be telling the public of the fines that will be imposed on motorist -- more of a sort of revenue generation for the government.
The idea that someone who want a driver's licence has to go through an approved driving course and be first granted a provisional licence for a year makes no sense and would be an additional financial burden to earn the privilege to drive. Earning the privilege to drive on our roads comes with responsibility and accountability. If new drivers commit infractions of the road traffic law then they should be stripped of their licences. It is only then they should be required to go through approved driving instructions before the driving privilege/licence can be restored.
The NRSC would be on target if they want legislation to make it mandatory for motorists who meet in accidents to be given summons/tickets. People who drive without a driver licence, unlicensed/uninsured vehicles must be assessed heavy fines and/or imprisoned. Motorist who leave the scene of an accident must also be charged heavy penalties and/or imprisonment.
The NRC must have ongoing communication with the public telling of the punishment for committing infractions under the road traffic law. In time it will bear fruit for a safe public thoroughfare.
Authnel Reid
authnel_reid@merck.com
crash-.jpg
The scene of a multi-vehicle crash.
Road Safety council must engage motorists
-->