The festive-season road traffic horror show has become a standard of the South African calendar, a time when care is thrown to the wind as thousands of people head off for the holidays, relieved another roller-coaster year is behind them.
It is, indeed a time of joy, a time to reunite with friends and family in observing the annual rituals that so many have worked so hard to enjoy. Tragically, though, it is also a time of heartbreak and sadness. For between now and early next month, based on history, more than 1,000 people might meet untimely, and mostly avoidable, deaths on our roads.
For many families, it is a time for reflection as old acquaintances and family members who have fallen victim to the road carnage are remembered and their lives cut short are celebrated. All our prayers and best wishes go out to those who have fallen by the wayside, victims of road hoodlums whose rush to reach their destinations inflicts tragedy on innocents.
Tragically, we’re once again reminded by our road-safety authorities that much of the carnage could have been, and can be, avoided as long as road users stick to some basic rules. Prime among these is not driving while under the influence of alcohol. Drinking and driving greatly contributes to the statistic that “human factors” are to blame for 80% of all crashes.
For between now and early next month, based on history, more than 1,000 people might meet untimely, and mostly avoidable, deaths on our roads
Other factors include speeding, the most common traffic offence, followed by driving without a seatbelt, as well as unroadworthy vehicles.
The festive season is also that time of year when our politicians — in the form of transport MECs — and other officials visit roadblocks for what has become an annual outing, as they are photographed ticking off some hapless motorist. Apart from these photo-ops, government as a whole has been lethargic in throwing its full weight behind a national road-safety effort.
The much-vaunted new driving laws and demerit system in the form of Aarto, a legal measure designed to enhance road safety, will not be in force again, having been delayed once more. We hope and trust this will be the last festive season that we’re without Aarto — which, we are assured, will greatly contribute to instilling a more orderly driving culture. Yet in spite of laws, however necessary they may be, what is really needed on our roads is a change of mindset. The bullying, speeding, devil-may-care attitude of too many drivers is a constant threat to law-abiding road users. This is exacerbated by an all-too-prevalent attitude that road users display in tending to regard the roads as private property for their exclusive use.
What is also required is more active policing, which would see traffic authorities on the road, in the traffic and identifying dangerous and antisocial behaviour as it is being committed, rather than it being explained away at a roadblock kilometres down the road. The roads are the last place where authorities can allow themselves to be sweet-talked out of having to take strict and necessary action. With an altered mindset and a commitment to enforcing the law, it is hoped that some of the carnage can be prevented, and that the holidays will be a time for fun and enjoyment for all.
Drive safe and have a wonderful break.
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