NO GROUNDS FOR REJECTING PROPOSED TRAFFIC FINES

Sir,

I have been following the public debate that has erupted since the proposed traffic fines were tabled in Parliament by the minister of Public Works and Transport.
A lot of people have commented on the proposed fines and it is almost predictable which side some sectors of society would take.

Public transport operators were always never going to accept any form of increment of fines or even fees for services government offers. The only thing they would take without argument is the increase of fares.
It is perhaps inspiring that the Consumer Association has vouched for the increase in road traffic fines. This is a body representing consumers and commuters alike and I concur with them.
The current fines are no longer a deterrent and drivers continue to disobey road traffic signs and rules with impunity. The sad part is that in all this negligent conduct by drivers, and at times pedestrians; life is lost or one is injured causing permanent alteration of one’s life.

What I found rather peculiar are the comments raised by some Members of Parliament. They call for roads to be fixed first before the fines are raised.
While roads are supposed to be traversable, it is not always the road that causes accidents. Excessive speeds are not encountered on bad roads; answering a cellphone while driving has nothing to do with bad roads; driving under the influence of alcohol has nothing to do with bad roads; the list is endless. All these disregard of road rules and signs lead to accidents.

Human error accounts for more accidents than bad roads. There is never a cost one can place on lost life.
 People are dying from road accidents and we talking about most of them perfectly healthy and not suffering from any ailments; yet they die instantly due to negligence. The fines are welcome and people must just obey the road traffic signs and rules, and they never have to worry about paying a fine.
MPs must debate these fines with their minds alive to the scourge caused by road traffic accidents to our families, relatives and friends. 

Siyabonga Maziya
Luyengo

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