Editor’s Note: Country in mourning
Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of the victims who perished in Sunday’s tragic bus accident
WE also pray for those survivors faced with long recovery periods, some of whom will be scarred and perhaps even disabled for the rest of their lives.
The mental and emotional toll will be as much as the physical, and these young people will have the added loss of their friends to bear, as well as their own personal burdens.
How quickly lives can be changed; how thin is the line between life and death!
One moment they are excitedly making their way home after experiencing a traditional part of their passage into adulthood; the next, they are part of a horror incident; then, ultimately, the focus of attention at their sad funerals.
The reaction to this accident is, sadly, also predictable.
Sincere messages of condolence are pouring in.
Promises are being made for a full and thorough investigation.
Warnings will be issued about all possible contributory factors – the roadworthiness of the vehicle and whether it was over-laden, the tiredness of the driver, the condition of the road, and so on.
We’ve heard it all before. Unfortunately the carnage continues.
South Africa’s accident rate is among the highest in the world, and buses are often involved – which means higher fatality numbers.
What is certain is that our drivers are generally under-trained, are often unlicenced, drive too fast and have little respect for other motorists.
It is also the case that there is little ‘highway patrol’ being conducted.
(There is no shortage of speed traps, but that is not the same thing.)
The countless ‘drive safe’ campaigns have had little effect, well-meaning and sincere as they are.
It’s people that cause accidents. And people should be trained, disciplined, corrected, punished and rehabilitated.
Bring on the demerit system and enforce it, starting with poor, lawless habits in urban areas which go unpunished, such as ignoring stop signs and robots – before they get out on the faster open roads.
Proper road safety measures are of no consolation to the families who mourn this week, but it could save others from similar heartbreak.
