Beware of drunk and careless drivers

Editorial

WITH days away from Christmas, this maybe the right time to make a statement on the dangers of drunk drivers and careless driving.
Whether we are in the cities, towns or villages, as long as you are near a road and use it frequently as many in modern Papua New Guinea do, you will have no doubt witnessed firsthand or seen the destruction, carnage and despair that traffic accidents and car crashes have cost.
Car wrecks are becoming a common sight in busy metropolitan areas such as Port Moresby and Lae and on the main highways and arterial roads that link our towns and districts.
Concerns on the illegal issuing of driver’s licence affecting road safety will surface around those times.
Police have always emphasised that one can know how to drive but if they fail to observe road safety rules, then something is obviously not right.
Not all drivers today understand all traffic rules, which makes one wonder how they were given a driving licence.
Observing road safety rules like the use of indicators, driving within the speed limit, driving on the left, knowing when to overtake or where to stop, and respecting traffic lights can minimise traffic accidents.
It’s either the driver is ignorant of what they know already or the licence was obtained illegally, hence, they totally have no idea of what road safety is.
These drivers are dangerous and during the festive season they are bound to cause accidents when the excitement of a few drinks or in the company of family and friends.
Almost every day you will come across some sort of accident involving vehicles and human beings.
When behind the wheel, the driver’s job is driving.
It is their job to protect themselves, their passengers, the vehicle, which is either a company asset or for which the driver may be receiving a stipend of some type, and people and property around them. Imagine if all Papua New Guinean drivers were certified defensive drivers.
There would be fewer road accidents involving vehicles as everyone would know what to do and what not to do.
Defensive driving is driving to save lives, time and money despite the conditions around you and the actions of others.
That is something the Road Transport Authority must push for to ensure all drivers sit the defensive driving test besides the general test for a driver’s licence.
One must always remember that a defensive driver will never put himself or herself or anyone else in harm’s way.
A good defensive driver practises correct legal driving techniques at all times.
Defensive driving training must be mandatory for all drivers to undertake before they are allowed to renew their licence.
These strategies go well beyond the instructions on basic traffic laws and procedures.
The main causes of accidents that stand out throughout the years among others include speeding, loss of control, inattention and fatigue, overloading and drink driving.
If the authorities are concerned about the increase in traffic accidents relating to alcohol, then it’s time for zero tolerance on drink driving and for the lawbreakers to be slapped with harsh penalties.