During long weekends and over the Christmas period, news bulletins include statistics on road accident fatalities. An overview is given on vehicles per hour on the various national routes as well as the direct costs of these accidents.
Most accidents are attributed to driving under the influence, speeding and pedestrians. Essentially nothing is done to prevent these accidents. There is a bit of visible policing, some signage along the roads and the "arrive alive" campaign.
Taking into consideration that the number of fatalities increased from 11 201 in 2001 to 14 057 in 2008, is it not time to investigate alternative methods to reduce the number of fatalities?
Driving on South African roads can be stressful experience. Motorists have to content with the state of the roads, road rage, corrupt officials and road users who have a blatant disregard for the rule of law. Law abiding motorists are forced to give way to vehicles travelling at speeds well in excess of the legal limit, even though they are travelling at the legal limit themselves.
Flashing lights, dangerous following distances, hooters and the occasional finger are the weapons used to intimidate other motorists. Should motorists be "forced" to be complicit to these bullies of the road? Is there a good enough reason to risk not only your own life, but also those of other road users by speeding excessively? The answer to both these questions is a resounding no!
Technology has advanced sufficiently to eliminate speeding and drunk driving altogether. New vehicle speeds should be limited to 120km/h, breathalysers should be fitted and "smarter" GPS technology should be used to automatically adjust maximum speeds where the speed limit is less than 120km/h.
GPS can also be used to warn motorists of approaching vehicles (blind rises and intersections). A simple calculation can be done by onboard computers to determine whether it is safe to overtake a slow moving vehicle. Older vehicles will eventually be phased out - after a massive boom in the sales of second hand vehicles - and our roads will be safer.
Only emergency vehicles and doctors (after applying for a permit and after having done and advanced driving course) should be allowed to travel at speeds greater than the legal limit.
Penalties for speeding, driving under the influence and tampering with the speed limit control mechanism should include compulsory jail time, community service, revoked drivers licences and adjustments to the speed limit control mechanism to allow the transgressor to travel at 20% below the allowable legal limit only.
The benefits of introducing these measures are enormous. The impact of reduced fuel consumption on the environment alone is worth its weight in gold.
Its time to get rid of the speed demons that put all our lives at risk.
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Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on MyNews24 have been independently written by members of News24's community. The views of users published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24. News24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.