Director of Planning and Programmes at the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Ing David Adonten, has disclosed that owners of private cars are killing more people than commercial drivers in the country.
According to him, the recent road crashes recorded in the country cannot be attributed to poor roads as “the roads were fine”. Ing Adonten explained that the attitudinal problem of drivers has caused the recent spate of road accidents.
He further explained that the crashes are happening to those he described as “recalcitrant”.
“The factor that contributed to the road accidents was the human attitude, behaviour… [and] speeding.
“If you look at the statistics, the private is even worse. Those using the private cars are now killing more than those with the commercial. It means that it cuts across the entire society. The very moment we go and sit behind the steering wheel, then our attitudes change. We don’t respect the law; we don’t respect other road users… Unfortunately, we are not that competent enough to manoeuvre to safety when it happens that there is danger”.
Ing David Adonten
Additionally, Ing Adonten explained that if road users are to comply with rules and the regulations, only then will it help “minimize the crashes”. Following this, he advised road users to be cautious when driving on the roads.
“Let us change our way of driving; that is why we keep pointing fingers to the drivers”.
Ing David Adonten
Punitive measures against recalcitrant drivers
In a bid to prevent the rampant road accidents in the country, Ing Adonten revealed that his outfit and relevant stakeholders have done enough. According to him, there have been enough education on road accidents to drivers and the other alternative is to exact punitive measures.
That notwithstanding, he noted that it is imperative for road users to take on some responsibility since the Police cannot simultaneously tackle incidents as they unfold in the country.
“Trust me, we can’t be everywhere. The Police… cannot be everywhere. Luckily, they have come up with some innovations; some surveillance cameras being put up which is helping. In the past number of weeks, we have been together with them. We have apprehended about 400 recalcitrant drivers and they are all now being processed to court for offenses and so on.
“But you see, perhaps that is what is coming that may be new. Otherwise, when it comes to publicity, education, sensitization, we have done enough. It is now how to make people comply and whoever fails to comply, it means that you’re recalcitrant, you want to kill. We must find a way of identifying you, bring you and deal with you under the law”.
Ing David Adonten
Target road safety campaigns at the youth
Additionally, Ing Adonten revealed that the “exuberance” displayed by the youth also accounts for road accidents. He revealed that the last campaign undertaken was for a “general target”. However, they are currently working to rope in the youth in their latest campaign to be introduced in October.
“So, it was more of nationwide, high-profile education we were doing. It wasn’t targeted to certain age level.
“You know we have adopted the traditional media in the past. In the next month, we are preparing now to move a little away from the traditional media. The engagement of traditional media is now going to shift to social media marketing to promote the safety. In October, we are launching what we call the ‘Stay Alive’ to run in parallel with the ‘Drive Safe’ campaign. But the target is more of the youth”.
Ing David Adonten
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