I do not agree with these rules

In answer to your rhetorical question in the Roodepoort Record of 10 February, Do you agree with these rules?, my very frank and immediate answer is NO. Changing the rules simply won’t help when the existing rules – which are quite adequate – are not enforced. The government will still have to enforce the new rules, and how will they do that if they don’t (can’t) enforce the current ones? Making new rules, or more rules, is not the answer – it simply punishes those who are doing right, and the ones who are doing wrong will continue to do wrong. If they drive 60 km/h in a 40 km/h zone, or 100 km/h in an 80 km/h zone – what’s to stop them?

What then is the answer? Rather than just opposing the issues, I have several suggestions which would address and likely solve the issues. Given that the number of horrific accidents is totally unacceptable, one must look at ways to enforce, and reinforce, the rules of the road – which are not “apartheid rules” (as I have heard some say), but international traffic laws which regulate an orderly flow of traffic worldwide, and save countless lives if adhered to.

The primary problem is lack of driver discipline. There’s too much negligent and reckless driving, making the roads very dangerous for all. Stop signs and red traffic lights have become a mere ‘recommendation’ rather than a traffic law – while some may slow down, others simply ignore them. Many drivers overtake on solid lines, curves and hills, resulting in many horrific accidents! Common road courtesy, such as allowing a vehicle entry when changing lanes, is unknown. And the common reaction is, “Well, everyone else is doing it.”

There’s also a lot of impatience evident in our daily driving experiences. How often do we have to wait at a green light for the intersection to clear while several cars are still turning right after their light has turned red? How often does a vehicle turn in front of you, rather than behind you? They’d rather make you brake to let them in instead of waiting for you to go. Countless other traffic violations are perpetrated, including speeding. The question is – what’s the hurry anyway?

It’s totally unfair to penalise law-abiding drivers while offenders are allowed to continue their bad driving. Reducing speed limits or making drivers (some of whom have been driving for decades without incident) undergo a practical re-evaluation when renewing their licences is ludicrous, since the real problem is enforcement of the current rules.

It’s true though, that many drivers have never learned how to drive properly. Therefore, the following solutions are offered:

· Enforce the existing traffic rules properly! The police do have their hands full, but the presence of some additional law enforcement officers may just help prevent hijackings, etc.

·Continue doing roadside checks for vehicle registration and drivers’ licences.

·Stop the corruption at the licensing offices and prevent licences being issued in return for bribes.

·Begin driver education early. Include it in the primary and secondary school curriculum.

·Start a multi-media national driver education refresher programme for drivers already on the roads to reach as many people as possible, and give audio and visual instruction on practical aspects of driving and traffic rules, such as how to drive in bad weather, how to turn at dual carriage-way four-way stops – the list is endless!

Truck drivers in particular need to be held much more responsible for their driving behaviour. For instance, who is responsible when a truck jack-knifes on the road? Once again, driver education is crucial, but perhaps there should be really high fines for truckers and their employers when a load is lost on the road – say R100 000 per incident!

Punishment is not the only way to change human behaviour – incentives and rewards also work. Consider implementing incentive programmes to reward law-abiding drivers – especially truckers and public transporters. Companies should be encouraged to acknowledge their good drivers by rewarding them, possibly by putting ‘I have been a safe driver since …’ on their vehicles.

The proposed ACETA point system is an excellent way to combine both the penalty and incentive systems, with law-breakers eventually losing their licences through the deduction of their pre-allowed points and law-abiding drivers being rewarded with extra points.

Lives are precious, and far too many are lost on the country’s roads. Changing driver behaviour positively will make our roads safer and more pleasant to use, and save many lives.

*Letter shortened for publication purposes