Granny state by Peter Palm

Should we be dictating to our citizens what they should be allowed to buy, regardless of the cost implications?

THERE are some who suggest vehicles with no NCAP star rating following a specific crash test should be banned from the sales floor. Does this also mean we should not be allowed to buy vehicles that have never been subjected to this crash test? To be clear: that would mean no sales of old bangers that have no airbags, ABS or the ultimate in crumple zones and reinforced roofs.

Looking more broadly, most of us enjoy the freedom to take part in other activities. At CAR, we also conduct motorcycle tests. Many more get a lot of enjoyment (and exercise) when riding bicycles. Using a similar safety angle to the old vehicle designs, should we ban the sales of bicycles, scooters and all motorcycles?

This introduces the main factor. There is a reason why we don’t run off to our GPS every few months to ask for assurance that we are free of cancer or other life-threatening diseases. It’s called lack of affordability. The majority of South Africans suffer this affliction and it’s increasing. We could even call it the dreaded “A” word to complement the dreaded “C” word.

Let’s look at a few examples: if all we have to spend on transport is R1 000, a bicycle it is; either a cheap new one or a slightly better-quality second-hand item. If we have R1 000 a month to spend, perhaps a scooter plus petrol. R2 000 a month? We now have a bit more choice: personal loan plus second-hand car plus petrol; or a new or used motorcycle plus less petrol (better

fuel economy) and a rain jacket.

If we have more cash, our choices grow exponentially. The cost of new cars encourages the debate of whether a better-quality, better-equipped second-hand car would not be a smarter option. But opting for the second-hand route brings some uncertainty. Was it in a crash? Is there something inherently defective? What if it requires expensive maintenance?

Some folks with enough disposable cash will opt for the cheapest new car – one possibly without ABS – instead of a second-hand unit and the reason they are not too concerned about how many crash-test stars the car has earned is they believe they are not going to have a crash. We all make our individual choices, grit our teeth and try to stay happy and alive. Informing people of the choices and options is fine, but should we dictate who should do what with their money, their lives, what they should drive or what sports to avoid because they may break their necks while playing rugby or diving into a pool?

So, what are the most important safety aspects to consider when buying and driving a car? Opinions may differ because this is not an exact science but one suggestion would be seatbelts, followed by ABS braking. Thereafter, well-designed crumple zones to reduce the shock impact on the body. Airbags, highly visible paintwork and headlamps switched on could follow. Lower speeds always help, especially when visibility is poor or when surfaces are wet or slippery, but this can be a negative factor when it comes to time productivity.

The biggest cause of all accidents on our roads seems set to remain: the human factor. People make mistakes. They do not buckle up their children; they overtake on blind rises and in corners with zero visibility of the road ahead; are distracted by phones; drive too fast when conditions call for the opposite; do not slow down when they see children or animals near the road; and do not ensure their vehicles are roadworthy.

Let’s look at another contentious issue, that of small-business owners, particularly builders who transport staff on the back of bakkies. The important word here is “small”. If non-belted passengers are illegal, this means the owner has to use a pukka people mover. This will add the cost of running two vehicles, an extra driver, two insurance policies, twice the fuel bill, maintenance costs and licensing. For a small business, this may be what pushes it into closing. So where do we draw the line between perceived safety and maintaining employment?

All debatable stuff, but let’s be honest: life is often scary but worrying never adds a single day to its duration.

As a sad footnote, while recently driving to work, an old school friend of mine lost his life in an accident in White River. Driving a sturdy 4x4 with airbags and ABS, he hit a patch of diesel on a bend, lost all traction and spun. Unfortunately, a large truck was approaching from the opposite direction and he slammed right into it, killing him instantly. Many years ago, a colleague was also killed early one morning on the way to work. A heavy mist hid a stray horse on the freeway. I suppose the moral of these sad tales is there are two vitally important safety features often out of our control: sufficient visibility and sufficient grip.