LET’S END RITUAL SLAUGHTER

IT’S happening again. The holiday death toll on our roads started with reports of no fewer than 34 people killed in the Western Cape alone at the weekend.

It is a tragedy extending beyond the lives lost. It means 34 families suffered the horrible blow of losing loved ones. Road accidents also cost the economy. Millions get spent on emergency services, hospitalisation, therapy and recuperation, among others. The Road Accident Fund – soon to be renamed the Road Accident Benefit Scheme – pays out millions of rand to accident victims. Ultimately, it’s a burden that falls on the taxpayer.

About a month from now, transport authorities will detail how many people were slaughtered on our roads during the festive season. They’ll also tell us how many motorists were fined, arrested or locked up. It has become a sickening and intolerable routine.

Most of our law enforcement officers do their best, but there are just not enough of them, and they can only use the legal instruments available to them. What is needed is stricter legislation coupled with relentless enforcement and sanction.

South Africa is probably the only country in the world where a shockingly high road death toll does not result in drastic changes in the law, and/or the axing of the minister responsible for transport.

Far too many motorists are literally getting away with murder. They are getting away because the system allows them to. The transport minister is urged to take action by having the system changed and start helping to save lives. The continual massacre on our roads must be brought to an end.

Peace.