IT IS that time of the year that road accidents are the issue of the day again. This time Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy have issued statements to the effect of tweaking and tightening the existing laws.
However, what our leaders have not touched on is the enforcement aspect.
No matter how good the law is, without a good enforcement unit, its purpose will be defeated.
This is shown in the increasing number of road accidents.
For enforcement of traffic laws we have the traffic police and the Road Transport Department but one can hardly see officers from these departments doing enforcement work at any time of the day.
Instead, enforcement occurs only when they set up roadblocks and create more traffic jams.
Why can't the enforcement officers station themselves at road junctions and summon motorists or motorcyclists who flout the law daily?
If law enforcement officers can be seen more regularly, I believe motorists and motorcyclists will think twice before speeding or beating traffic lights.
Other areas where law enforcement officers are seldom or never seen are the housing estates.
These are the areas that breed unethical drivers.
Here, you will find youngsters riding motorcycles and carrying pillion riders without wearing safety helmets, speeding and breaking all traffic rules and endangering themselves and others at the same time.
You will also find motorists who disregard all traffic rules by double parking and driving in the opposite direction along one-way streets.
Publish in The Star Leters to the Editor Nov 9th 2004
No comments:
Post a Comment