Holy See’s wise directives can save lives

THE national death watch has begun once again. Traffic accidents in South Africa always peak around the busy periods such as Christmas and Easter as people head out for their holidays.

Despite good infrastructure, our country’s roads are among the most dangerous in the world, resulting in the deaths of more than 20 000 people every year.

On average more than 1 500 people die in road accidents between December 1 and January 10 each year.

We need to take a hard look at the whole culture of driving here, with a stronger emphasis on safety and value for the preciousness of life.

Every time we step into a car we have to take responsibility, not only for ourselves but for the safety of others and endeavour to change the bad habits and poor culture of driving.

I have witnessed many incidents where death was but a wrist-flick, a fumble or a tired miscalculation away. I have seen cars, trucks and taxis hammer towards me, during the day or late at night, like a procession of monsters.

I have seen drivers overtake on a single-lane road and miss the oncoming juggernaut by metres.

To be honest, it’s absolutely staggering how some drivers give so little thought to the fact that they are threatening our lives and those of our loved ones by choosing to drive recklessly. It’s like a mass death wish.

Just why are we subjected to such daily lethality, particularly during the festive season?

Attitude is everything. South African drivers are far too aggressive and simultaneously complacent when driving.

Each year, publicity campaigns are undertaken by government to promote road safety issues. The Arrive Alive campaign targets the main causes of accidents such as speeding, reckless driving and driving under the influence of alcohol. It seems they are ignored. Statistics by the Road Traffic Management Corporation show that around 70% of drivers exceed 60km/h speed limits, and around 30% the120km/h speed limits.

In addition, around 40% of front seat occupants of vehicles fail to wear seatbelts, and 7% of all drivers are intoxicated during night-time journeys.

There are no figures for those who drive without licences let alone with fake ones.

We have to change our driving culture. Many South Africans regard deaths on our roads during the year and even during the festive season as a norm.

When scores are killed our roads there is no public outcry, no demands that something be done, no change in driver behaviour. Nothing.

Meanwhile road accidents cost our country an estimated R43-billion each year. And the truth is, no country in Africa has a more sophisticated road network, or vehicle ownership ratio, than South Africa.

Maybe we can all learn from the Vatican’s 10 commandments for drivers. Titled “Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road”, these cover everything from refraining from road rage, respecting the rights of fellow road users and refraining from gesticulating at other motorists to obeying speed limits and maintaining your car in good working order.

Here are The Holy See’s 10 driving commandments: You shall not kill; The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm;

Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events;

Be charitable and help your neighbour in need, especially victims of accidents;

Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, or an occasion of sin;

Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so;

Support the families of accident victims;

Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness;

On the road, protect the more vulnerable party;

Feel responsible towards others.

The need for these guidelines or similar ones is evident every day, and particularly at this time of the year. If motorists would take to heart these commandments, they will serve a worthy purpose.

Accidents will happen but we should all be doing our very best to prevent them. Let’s exercise caution, be more patient, wear seatbelts all the time and always think of the consequences of our actions. Save lives.

Phumulo Masualle is premier of the Eastern Cape