Dear Editor,
This letter seeks to highlight the relationship between the stagnant state of our population number and road accidents.

On average, about three persons die per week as a consequence of an accident on our roadways. In one year, this amounts to 156 deaths. On any given day a minimum of 10-15 accidents occur resulting in minor or major injuries or even death. Whatever the end result, this places a significant burden on the taxpayers since it is us who have to uphold the public health care system. It is the health care system that will be responsible for the recovery and rehabilitation of the accident victim and if the accident results in a disability, then the victim will require support for the rest of his/her life.

Another mentionable point is that in most cases these accidents involve public transportation, especially mini buses. However, we must not blame only the drivers of the buses and taxis but also the owners.

The owners are the ones who silently encourage the carnage on our roads as they are the ones who set the enormous “targets.” It is my opinion that not only the driver should face the court but also the owner of the vehicle (if it is not the same person).

It is learnt in primary school that the most important resource of our country is our human resource. With this in mind, the members of the Judiciary should start behaving as if this is true and implement stricter measures for those who drive recklessly and dangerously.

Yours faithfully,
(Name and address supplied)