Road safety is of paramount importance

I AM constantly reminded that the more things change the more they remain the same. 

For years, the National Road Safety Council and other stakeholders have been preaching the road safety sermon day after day to road users in general, and motorists in particular, to exercise extreme caution when using the nation’s roads. Yet, the death toll arising from motor vehicle accidents moves in the same direction as rising cost of living in PNG.

It appears that this goodwill message has either fallen on deaf ears, or the ostrich has buried its head in the sand.

 No matter how horrific or graphic an accident may be to curious onlookers, eyewitnesses, and even some of the survivors, they just don’t learn. 

One would expect that lessons would have been learnt would include : Don’t overtake carelessly, no speeding, get enough rest, don’t drink and drive, etc.

One can’t but notice beach-goers and political party supporters who usually travel long distances reveling and engaging in risky manoeuvres (sitting on window ledges, hanging precariously outside of buses, etc) to their own detriment and the innocent bystanders with whom they collide. 

No amount of public educational campaign, or speed traps, or press conferences will resolve the problem. 

I believe what is required is a renewal of our capacity to think rationally. Those who have ears let them hear and those who have eyes let them see. 

There is already too much despair and trauma brought about by criminals wreaking havoc. 

I call on the motorists and pedestrians to play a greater role in resolving this perennial problem by shouldering greater responsibility for personal safety. 

The authorities must employ stringent measures to prosecute offenders who put the lives of others at risk. 

So let’s all make a concerted effort to avoid the avoidable, after all, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. 

Kawaii Kaketao, Via email