Why is RTA not being gazetted?
It is very demoralising for all citizens to see the apparent foot-dragging on implementing the Road Transport Act 2018 (RTA 2018), which got the president's approval on the same day as the Digital Security Act 2018 a month ago. While cases have been lodged related to the latter, the former is yet to be implemented. The only logical surmise for this delay is the pressure exerted by the transport unions who have been demanding leniency in punishment for drivers. That the Act was passed, in much diluted form though, in the face of countrywide protests by students demanding safer roads, is waiting to be put into effect, is an affront to all commuters in the country who continue to be victims of rash driving on our roads.
The reason offered for the delay that it takes years to formulate rules of an Act does not hold true, especially since we had the Digital Security Act enacted into law at record speed and under which people have been filing cases. Shortcomings of the RTA 2018 have been raised by organisations advocating for safe roads and transport unions. The 48-hour strike enforced nationwide recently by transport unions resulted in the deaths of three infants who were on their way to seek medical assistance.
Such is the hold of the transport workers that they had the gall to stop ambulances from plying roads, and now we have a situation where policymakers appear to be cowering in the face of their threats for further agitation. And we wish to be known internationally as a law-abiding country! The Road Transport Act needs to be implemented immediately so that people can be safe on roads, and this is non-negotiable.
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