Road Safety

[phelakuti]

I want to hear from every one, what you take is on the issue of road fatalities. I once have come across infomation on a study in progress in this regard. The fatality figures are staggering. Southern Africa's most viable members of the manpower are dying on roads.

Due to drunken driving (DUI's), speeding, animals on the roads, poor road conditions (lighting, road sizes, etc.) This is, especially, at the time when much more people instead of less are needed just for these countries to "keep the head above water." Leave alone keeping abreast with the rest of the world. While these nations are financially drained by higher cost on health, education, etc., the very people on which the money is spent, meet death abruptly on the roads.

This translates into the kind of economic inflations that the majority experience--high good and services costs; the ultimate miseries through deficient formal education quality or the total lack, there of; material distitutions, reckless migration to forein lands (incorrectly referred to as BRAIN DRAIN); inabilities to even oversee national institution, due to deficient quality members of bureaucracies.

What is needed, when and how to put these to use in order to reverse this catastrophic trent.

[mary_l]

Hi Rau,

where I live police come down really, really hard on anyone who drives drunk or recklessley or does not have the proper papers which results overall infewer road deaths although every life lost is too much. I think that law enforcement and strong policing nad the courts are very important to deter people to endanger themselves and others and I agree with you that you country must be paying a very, very high cost. Very sad.

[Uncle Paul]

I wish our law enforcement agencies would mount more road blocks and test for driver's alcohol levels. I happen to believe that many people drive intoxicated in the dead of night, and that they are a real danger to themselves and others. When is the last time you encountered a road block in Windhoek at night? And when last did you have your alcohol levels tested at such a road block. I agree with Mary that road safety is to a large degree a matter of law enforcement. The more, the better

[Oneword]

Road blocks at 03:00 in the morning are not the answer. You'll catch only the unwary. Don't combat the symptoms, but try to get to the root of the evil.

And no, I do not have a solution! I only know that if one can buy a bottle of Vodka or beers at this time of the morning without impunity at some place in our (near) western suburbs, all the roadblocks this side of hell won't ameliorate the situation.

[Comrade007]

I firmly believe in spot checks and road-blocks that move on quickly so their position cannot be communicated by members of the public to their friends and family members. This seems to be happening more often now, at least in Windhoek, and it is a very good development. The thought that drivers may be stopped at any time, in any place is a very strong deterrent and a motivator to not break the law.

[Dude]

Kudos to the Namibian police for doing breathalyser tests at the roadblock outside Windhoek, towards Okahandja, over the festive season. I was pleasantly surprised when each and every driver was tested, and some pulled over for obvious reasons. A long queue of cars formed, but that was not important - we cannot have it both ways: Complain if the law is not enforced, and complain when it is enforced. Drink and driving remains a huge problem in our country. This is a good start to get it under control.

[Pietro]

.... and it is even nicer if you can face them with a clear conscience and an even clearer breath!!!!!!!!!!