Motorists face tough times ahead
If the government has its way, there is the distinct possibility that some motorists, if not all, will be reevaluated to renew their driver's licence.
Yes, folks, such a reality, as daunting as it seems, is on the cards.
The first scenario deals with the Administrative Adjudication of Traffic Offences Act (Aarto), which is set to go live nationally by 2016.
For those who don’t know about Aarto, this will introduce the dreaded demerit points system.
This system will penalise drivers who are guilty of infringements, by imposing demerit points. An accumulation of demerit points would lead to suspension and the eventual cancellation of a driver’s licence.
So, once you lose all your points, viola! You find yourself back in the yard, doing all those wonderful manoeuvres like alley docking, parallel parking (many licensed drivers still cannot do this trick), a three-point turn, pulling away on an incline and who knows what other circus acts.
The second scenario deals with the Department of Transport’s new proposed road rules, which includes legislation that deals with the lowering of speed limits and compels motorists to take a practical test when renewing a driver’s licence.
Regarding speed limits, the proposal is for a reduction from 60 to 40km/h in urban areas, from 100 to 80km/h in rural areas and from 120 to 100km/h on freeways running through residential areas.
Scenario two, of course, makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Whoever concocted this idea has lost touch with reality.
Firstly, imagine the absolute chaos of trying to renew your licence if you have to take your practical test again? It already takes three to four hours to renew your licence just by taking a fairly simple eye test.
It is about impractical as when they rolled out the e-toll system, expecting motorists to pay for something that is the responsibility of the government.
Secondly, lowering speed limits will resolve nothing. Taxis are already supposed to drive at 100km/h, which is hardly being enforced.
Fact is, people will speed because, most of the time, disobeying the rules of the road goes unpunished.
How many people really stop dead at a stop street? You can make the limit 10km/h and motorists will continue to drive recklessly.
Accidents are caused because, in modern society, it seems people like to rage against authority (therefore disobeying laws), while little value is placed on the sanctity of one’s own life and those around you.
The only real answer to chaos on our roads is Aarto. It should have been implemented a long time ago, but there were, as usual, numerous delays.
Aarto will effectively make motorists think twice before they speed, drive intoxicated or simply behave recklessly on the road.
It is one thing to pay a fine, but I believe the thought of being reevaluated is a nightmare for any ”experienced” motorist.
After all, the driver’s test is a once-off experience that we would rather not have to relive.
Remember those days of having to study the K90 booklet, then pitching up for the yard test all sweaty and nervous, hoping you didn’t knock over the inspector, mow down a pedestrian or, heaven forbid, roll backwards.
What relief when the inspector turned to you after you had miraculously navigated the road test safely, to give you a thumbs up! It was like the whole world lifted from your shoulders.
You were free and independent and, on that day, you thanked everything that breathes that you would never have to endure that torture again.
For motorists who have been on the road for some time the limitations of the K90 test are long gone and forgotten.
Now we drive with one hand on the wheel (come on, who really drives with two hands), taking the corners in third gear, hardly checking the rearview mirrors, juggling a cellphone and a cool drink, now and then nervously peering at the car driving too close behind you (in case of a hijacking), all the while avoiding the looming potholes as you swear under your breath that the government should fall into a sinkhole.
I wonder if the driver’s test has been updated to deal with criminals, flash floods (you know, blocked drains), shoddy roads and highly irritated motorists screaming obscenities at the government and e-toll gantries.
Yes, motorists of today are far more experienced, but let us admit it, we are all a bit reckless and a bit preoccupied while driving, which does not spell a successful trip to the yard.
If Aarto does roll around (and let us hope the government’s compulsory reevaluation falls by the wayside) then I will surely try my utmost to avoid landing back at the yard with an inspector who has a sadistic gleam in the eye and nothing else to do than work on my frail nerves.
