Concern over high number of accidents

I HAVE been prompted to write this after a series of road accidents that cost the lives of many people.
One occurred in the highlands in April 2013, killing 25 people, including a five-year-old girl.
This tragedy involved the families and relatives of a tribesman from Baiyer-Lumusa of the Western Highlands who had died in Port Moresby.
They were taking his body to an airport near Mt Hagen for repatriation when the accident occurred.
Their 25-seater bus went off the road and plunged into a ravine.
It was one of the country’s worst road accidents.
Three years earlier, an accident along Markham Highway in Morobe claimed 48 lives.
Papua New Guineans need to understand the principles of defensive driving. They must know what causes accidents and how to avoid them.
All road accidents are caused by threats created by (in order of importance) the driver, other road users, roads and environment, transport operations and the vehicle and its load or passengers.
The threats created by the driver are poor behaviour (such as recklessness, speeding, and use of mobile phone), lack of competence, fatigue, mental stress, drugs and alcohol.
Drivers must adjust their driving according to the conditions.
They must be aware of what is happening around them, and recognise potential dangers.
They must also check their vehicle regularly.
Many people are believed to have bribed their way to a driving licence. Those involved must be prosecuted.
Police and law enforcement agencies must also make sure traffic rules are followed. Driving is not a game.

Joe Wasia,
Madang