IS ‘DD’ REAL CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS?

Sir,

I would like to address a significant concern that has not been sufficiently discussed in the public sphere. There is a prevailing perception, propagated by the authorities responsible for maintaining law and order on our roads, that the primary cause of road accidents is driving under the influence of alcohol. This perception has led to an intense focus by the police traffic department on targeting alcohol consumption among road users.

Roadblocks

In recent years, it has become commonplace to see police roadblocks positioned so close to drinking establishments that they appear to be part of the premises. This approach by our law enforcement agents has had several adverse effects on our society. Social interactions, particularly in the evenings, have been curtailed, and businesses involved in liquor trading have suffered. Additionally, related industries such as entertainment, hospitality and transportation have also been negatively impacted. The critical question is whether such stringent road safety interventions are warranted. Upon close examination of the statistics, the answer appears to be no.

Data

Data from the Eswatini Road Safety Council reveal that driving under the influence of alcohol constitutes a relatively minor proportion of the total road accidents. Instead, the primary causes of accidents since 2019, have consistently been errors in judgment and negligence. This assertion is contained in the recent statistics released by the Road Safety Council and reported in the press. Furthermore, road users convicted of negligent driving do not face the severe penalties they deserve. Instead, those arrested for drinking are subjected to jail terms or harsh fines. This has prompted calls for a revaluation of the law enforcement strategies.

A shift in focus should prioritise interventions aimed at curbing behaviours such as speeding, which has consistently been a leading factor in road accidents nationwide. By targeting behaviours that are statistically proven to pose greater risks, authorities can potentially achieve more significant reductions in accident rates and enhance overall road safety. Internationally recognised best practices in road safety, emphasise the importance of a multifaceted approach that integrates enforcement, education, engineering and evaluation. By adopting a holistic approach that incorporates these principles, Eswatini can establish a sustainable framework for improving road safety outcomes.

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