The Democratic Alliance has condemned the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) for using "bully-boy" tactics in threatening to arrest motorists who commit traffic violations over the festive season.
The DA's position that the RTMC does not have the authority to arrest motorists may or may not be so. There is, however, a far bigger issue - an ever increasing epidemic of fatalities on SA roads. Latest figures released by the Department of Transport show that more than 4500 were killed on SA roads during 2014/2015.
Current traffic laws and regulations accomplish very little in stemming road fatalities. Motorists, including pedestrians, generally pay little or no attention to the rules of the road. It is as if they have a death wish. Some would would say it is symptomatic of a pathological antisocial personality disorder that rears its ugly head when South African motorists get behind the wheel. Whatever the reasons, if arrest will serve as a deterrent, so be it.
The RTMC's decision to arrest motorists is not a "bully-boy" tactic - it is public safety measure. The DA should not be playing politics when it comes to saving lives.
No comments:
Post a Comment