SO MANY road accidents have caused the loss of so many innocent lives. This was the concern of coffee drinkers during a “session” on how this country is moving.
Political discussions have started to flood social media and television screens showing national politicos again making flowery promises.
Indeed, there are so many “promising” candidates.
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“Land transport authorities must now act with more teeth and strong muscles in penalizing erring drivers who have caused the loss of lives of so many. Why are erring drivers not seriously penalized?” asked a retired teacher.
“There are so many road incidents that have claimed lives all because the driver was said to have taken intoxicating liquor yet they have no penalty at all,” he added.
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“It’s about time that the Land Transportation Office has sort of a mediation and judicial board for every region and district. This board shall evaluate road incidents where lives are lost, properties are destroyed, other vehicles are damaged and may have been caused by drivers intoxicated or speeding, or seriously reckless,” said an engineer.
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“True. Because it seems reckless drivers are getting away with their sins on the road. In a road accident, once both parties have amicably settled the matter, the erring driver go scot-free and may have the next road victim waiting for him,” the golfer stressed.
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“A driver who may have caused the loss of a person’s life because of recklessness or liquor should be meted with stiff penalties – revocation of driver’s license and the suspension of the issuance of driver’s license say, for the next two years or more depending on the gravity of the road mishap. This way, drivers will be extra careful,” the engineer proposed.
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“Causing the loss of life is a crime of homicide and there must be penalties,” said the golfer. “Drivers in fatal road mishaps are criminals in a sense.”
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“Instead of the land transport authority focusing on motor vehicle check-ups to qualify for motor registration, it is better that they focus on the quality of drivers. It looks like after a license applicant gets a brief driving training, he seems qualified to drive. But a motor vehicle with damaged shock absorbers or poor engine condition needs to pass a test. It is impractical,” said the golfer.
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“The transport authority should not focus on penalties; it must focus on the educational process of drivers to learn better to drive safely,” said a retired banker. “Let us think how this world of road mishaps will end, robbing innocent lives,” the teacher said./PN
