Do something, please!

There is an interesting roadside sign on Davidson Lane as one travels towards Alkantstrand.

It clearly states that no alcohol will be tolerated at the beach and that anyone going there may be searched.

How we wish that was true. The problem in society in general, and the City of uMhlathuze in particular, is that there is no shortage of laws, bylaws or warnings, but there is a severe lack of action when it comes to implementing them.

A couple of extremely sad incidents this past Sunday highlighted the lack of decisive action when it comes to protecting innocent, lawabiding residents.

One was a tragic drowning at Alkantstrand after the lifeguards had gone off duty.

Any person who has been to that beach at ‘closing time’ would know that the lifeguards announce, in isiZulu and English, that they are leaving and that bathing is now forbidden.

Regular beachgoers will also know that this is not adhered to and, especially in the hot summer months, scores of people will insist on swimming regardless of the announcement.

The question is: who is supposed to remove them from the water? Surely not the lifeguards?

Is anyone actually tasked with that function?

Why are people not forcibly removed, for their own good?

A second sad loss of life occurred at almost the same hour, when a couple on a motorbike was smashed into from the rear as they waited for the traffic lights to change from red to green.

Without particular reference to that accident, it is no secret that the colour at a traffic light in the city makes little difference to hundreds of drivers, who don’t bother to stop or slow down when it changes to red.

There is a growing culture of disobedience to road safety.

Again, whose job is it to catch and punish them?

Why should the obedient public’s lives be placed at risk every day when approaching or waiting at an intersection? Where are the law enforcers? And what about the endless public parties at the beach and elsewhere, where over-the-limit drivers get behind the wheel and cause chaos?

It is both interesting and depressing to note that when there are traffic blitzes, these do not continue into the early evening – the most dangerous time.

The municipality could save many lives and make a lot of money simply by placing traffic officers at all roads leading from recreational areas – and that includes clubs and pubs – at the close of day on any given weekend.

And while they are at it, how about refusing to allow bakkies carrying children in the unprotected load bin to continue on their way?

Every weekend we witness people sitting on plastic chairs in the back of bakkies, where sudden braking means death or serious injury.

And, of course, seatbelts are merely an optional extra.

We’ve said it before: cutting the grass and beautifying the city is great; but how about the same amount of effort going into situations that really matter?