There are two separate issues at stake: 1. The capacity of the the traffic department
2. The efficacy of graduated driving permits A government cannot delay cutting edge legislation to save lives while it waits to sort out the capacity of the existing system. Taking that approach we would never have pushed through the provision of anti- retroviral treatment for HIV positive people - because the health service is in a mess and the administrative difficulties are considerable. However, not doing so would leave people to suffer and die for an indefinite period while you improve capacity. It is similar with the graduated permits. We know that new drivers are the most dangerous on the road. They are both inexperienced, and young and risk-taking. There is clear evidence that such systems decrease road injuries and deaths. That the system is unlikely to be as successful in SA compared to Australia misses a crucial point. It will nevertheless prevent deaths and injuries here too - despite the inefficiency of our traffic department. These lives saved and injuries prevented will add up. And not just the human cost, the department of transport currently spends more than half its budget on collisions and their effects. Ultimately, fewer crashes will also mean less money wasted in terms of closed roads, damage to infrastructure, delays in commuting etc.. Paired with the alcohol restrictions in the province, the effect could be considerable. Far from being on crack, the government is responding to the call of road injury researchers who are not unaware of the problems with our traffic department. While it would be ideal to have a traffic department functioning optimally to make best use of such legislation, it would not be ideal to wait for that day before attempting proven changes that prevent deaths and permanent disability. Alan Millar Ash Street. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Observatory Neighbourhood watch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/obsnw?hl=en.
