Motor vehicle accidents and the resulting loss of lives have been one of the major killers of our drivers, particularly the younger ones in recent times. One of the main causes for this wanton loss of life on the roads is speeding.The pain and suffering experienced by the family of the deceased ones are difficult and sad to describe with mere words, and yet the carnage and pain continues almost unabated.
The authorities have been taking some precautionary measures such as breathalysers to curb drunk driving, as well as plans for lasers to detect speeding, amongst other things, but these cannot provide the answers.It is ironic that the authorities continue to register motor vehicles that are fast and potentially deadly. In the light of the continuing loss of many who are at the prime of their lives, it seems highly illogical to permit fast vehicles to enter and be driven on our roads.
It is also laughable that we allow vehicles which can be driven over 150 miles per hour to be imported, registered, sold and collect taxes on it–and then say the speed limit is 80 km per hour.
The only solution, in my personal view, is to limit the speed capacity of the vehicles, to say 85 miles per hour, maximum, except security vehicles. When I was growing up in the 1940s our vehicles were "governed" to 85 miles per hour and road deaths and accidents were relatively at a minimum. This solution worked before and it can again if we are really serious about curtailing the wanton loss of lives by vehicular accidents.
This solution could also have economical benefits and save foreign reserves if we order less fast and less expensive vehicles.
G Mohammed,
via e-mail