No point in hiding away, traffic cops
VISIBLE policing is critical for the deterrence of crime in our communities and on our roads.
In the mornings when we travel on the N2 into the CBD we see a number of law enforcement vehicles that ensure motorists generally respect the rules of the road. When they don’t, they are fined or their cars are removed from our roads.
Where police patrols are frequent in our communities, criminal activity is fairly low when compared to areas where no police patrols take place.
This therefore highlights the importance of visible policing as a crime deterrent.
How then does one explain traffic officers who go to extreme lengths to hide from motorists? It seems traffic officers are more interested in handing out fines, thus generating revenue for the province, rather than deterring motorists from speeding or breaking other rules of the road.
On the N2 inbound, under the Pinelands bridge, out of sight of vehicles travelling to the CBD, one often sees traffic vehicles hidden behind trees, with only a little laser camera sitting on the side of the road.
As one approaches Hospital Bend outbound, traffic officers hide their vehicles on the off-ramp there and stand behind trees to catch offenders.
Safety on our roads is, or should be, everyone’s responsibility. Motorists who drive under the influence of substances should face the harshest punishment, so too motorists who speed and drive recklessly, endangering their lives as well as those of other motorists. With that said, one strongly feels that prevention is better than cure – with more visible traffic officers on our roads, there would be fewer motorists breaking the rules.
Stop hiding, see and be seen, it will be better for our roads. Traffic fines should serve to punish, not deter or discourage road users from breaking the law. MICHAEL MAZWI Montana