‘Speeding and Sirens!’ – David Kwaku Sakyi writes

The
statistics
from
the
National
Road
Safety
Authority
(NRSA)
highlight
the
significant
impact
of
road
crashes
in
2023,
with
2,276
fatalities
and
15,409
injuries.
While
there’s
a
slight
improvement
compared
to
2022,
these
numbers
still
reflect
a
substantial
public
safety
issue.
In
this
context,
the
recent
amendments
to
the
Road
Regulations
Act
L.I
2180
are
particularly
troubling.

Granting
speed
limit
exemptions
and
permissions
to
members
of
parliament
and
ministers
of
State,
especially
in
sensitive
areas
like
schools,
residential
zones,
hospitals,
parks,
and
recreational
areas,
is
alarming.
Such
exemptions
undermine
road
safety
principles
designed
to
protect
vulnerable
populations,
including
children,
the
elderly,
and
the
sick.

Here
are
key
concerns
regarding
these
amendments:

Safety
Risks:
Expanding
speed
limit
exemptions
increases
the
likelihood
of
accidents
in
areas
where
the
consequences
can
be
particularly
severe.
Speeding
in
school
zones
or
near
hospitals
can
result
in
tragic
outcomes
that
far
outweigh
any
perceived
benefits
of
quicker
travel
for
officials.

Inequality:
Allowing
a
specific
group
of
people
to
bypass
road
safety
regulations
creates
a
sense
of
inequality.
It
sends
a
message
that
the
safety
and
lives
of
ordinary
citizens
are
less
important
than
the
convenience
of
officials.
This
can
erode
public
trust
in
governance
and
foster
resentment.

Accountability
and
Abuse:
Granting
such
exemptions
and
the
use
of
sirens
and
alarms
for
official
vehicles
opens
the
door
for
potential
abuse.
Without
strict
oversight,
there’s
a
risk
that
these
privileges
will
be
misused,
leading
to
dangerous
driving
behaviors
and
a
lack
of
accountability
for
those
in
power.

Public
Perception
and
Governance:
These
amendments
could
be
seen
as
a
self-serving
move
by
lawmakers,
prioritising
their
own
convenience
over
public
safety.
It
undermines
the
moral
authority
of
the
government
and
sets
a
poor
example
for
citizens,
potentially
encouraging
a
disregard
for
traffic
laws
more
broadly.

In
conclusion,
while
the
intention
behind
the
amendments
might
be
to
facilitate
the
swift
movement
of
officials
for
critical
duties,
the
broader
implications
on
road
safety,
equality,
and
public
trust
are
profoundly
negative.
It
is
crucial
for
lawmakers
to
reconsider
these
amendments,
focusing
instead
on
measures
that
enhance
road
safety
for
all
citizens,
without
compromising
the
well-being
of
the
public.