Mobile phones and driving
The six back page pictures in Sunday's issue of this paper speaks volumes about the blatant disregard of traffic rules by vehicle users and more importantly, the obvious lax enforcement of them by the police. The images show users of cars, motorcycles and bicycles recklessly using mobile phones in the middle of traffic apparently oblivious to the danger they pose to their own lives and those of others. Taking one's eyes off the road while driving even for a split second can cost someone injury or even death. But we cannot help but wonder, while drivers are known for breaking rules, where were the traffic police to enforce them?
Enforcement requires well trained policemen who will apply the rules without discrimination, fear or favour. But the reverse is true. Traffic rules are constantly flouted, often under the very noses of the law enforcers. Vehicles of every kind go in all directions, VIPs and others ply on the wrong side of the road, unfit, dilapidated buses are allowed to run races in major thoroughfares – all with apparent impunity. Why would traffic police allow such defiant disregard for traffic rules? Is it because they are poorly trained or because they just choose to be strict about enforcement only when it suits them?
As for the practice of using mobile phones – this must be stopped immediately through public awareness and exemplary enforcement of the law with no exceptions extended to anyone. People must realise that such risky behaviour can lead to fatal road crashes and hence shall not be tolerated.
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