When a University of Technology lecturer gently 'reminded' me that I have visited the topic of our driving woes on several occasions, I promised myself not to comment on them again. However, in spite of all the official talk, campaigns and policing efforts, there is absolutely no discernible change in the hazardous driving practices exhibited on our roads. In fact, things have got progressively worse.

Public passenger drivers confess that, not only do they want to get where they are going in a hurry and that they need to beat their competitors to the waiting fares but they also say that, generally, the passengers want them to do whatever it takes to get where they are going fast! So, in their bid to earn a living, minibuses, route taxis and 'robots' (filled with complicit passengers) recklessly race each other, speed, overtake entire lines of traffic, ignore traffic signs, endanger other road users, drive over concrete medians, drive erratically, run red lights and regularly go into designated turning lanes at traffic lights before cutting in front of other road users.

Offenders not being prosecuted

They obstruct traffic by stopping anywhere (even across intersections), conductors stop traffic both ways to 'usher' passengers into their vehicles and drivers stop anyhow to drop off passengers. Serious traffic violations constantly occur on major and commonly used minor thoroughfares throughout the day, yet the offenders are not being vigorously prosecuted.

Our traffic laws have enough range and relevance - we simply need to increase vigilance and properly enforce them even if it means using surveillance cameras, regularly posting traffic police at the well-known hot spots or amending the law to allow for civilian traffic wardens to observe and report lawbreakers. We also need to teach the 'road code' in all schools and offer traffic school and defensive driving classes (for ticket dismissal/reduction and, perhaps, insurance discounts) instead of the current punitive and shameless revenue-earning ticketing system.

Speeding in and of itself is not our only problem; ignorance, impatience, indiscipline, disrespect and aggression are the real dangers. This new 'anti-socialisation' (repetitive, unchallenged infractions) has been allowed to stand for so long that it is now the norm. I see regular motorists mimicking the route taxi and minibus drivers as a natural adaptation to the prevailing conditions.

Obviously, our behaviour on the roads is a symptom of our social problems but, I am convinced that this madness transcends mere traffic violations; it propagates, influences and facilitates the general breakdown of order and discipline within society.

Corruption

Corruption is associated with our road use at many levels - from the importation of motor vehicles, the acquisition of illegal driving permits, falsification of documents, the bribing of errant public officials and cops to the stealing and distribution of vehicles and parts. Unfortunately, this sort of thing has already programmed our people into accepting indiscipline and corruption as a way of life. Ignoring the rules of the road only leads our country farther down a path towards chaos.

No corrupt and chaotic nation can produce adequately or take advantage of the trade opportunities needed to dig itself out from under crippling economic burdens. We must stop the madness on our roads in order to re-establish discipline and respect for the law in at least one sphere of our lives. If this administration takes this seriously, we will instil order and, little by little, this will help set the socio-economic foundation to rescue our country from poverty and crime.

Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. He may be reached at garthrattray@gmail.com or columns@gmail.com.