A day seldom passes without tragedy striking at one area or another in a country that seems to see no end to the deadly accidents caused by reckless driving. Few homes have been spared the misery resulting from the road accidents.
It is now so common to witness or read about people being killed and maimed on our roads that little attention is paid to the news stories.
Many of those who survived accidents with severed or broken limbs have learned a lesson very well.
A few have now memorized the rules of safe driving by heart and try to convey to others their painful experience.
Some of us who have not been victims of such accidents may listen, but many do not.
The problem is with those who were the victims of accidents and yet continue to ignore the suffering they went through.
They don’t want to learn and insist on committing the same mistake every time they find themselves behind the steering wheel. Campaign after campaign for traffic awareness and education are held throughout the year all over the Gulf states with the speakers every time forced to adjust their figures adding new casualties.
Yet, despite the frightening statistics announced at these functions, the number of people who are being killed and injured in road accidents is on the rise.
Hospitals and rehabilitation centers continue to receive more victims and new families are being added to those trying to cope with a new situation resulting from disability.
A nation that does not know how to handle a machine walking on four legs to ensure protection of the lives of its people is a backward nation.
People continue to treat vehicles as if they are airplanes and rockets thinking they can match their speed.
Motorists who have no respect for the law and who never care about others sharing the street with them must know they are racing with time to meet their own death which, will meet them halfway if they continue to behave like this.
A week from now we will celebrate the 19th Gulf Traffic Week, which this year will be held under the title “Traffic rules, your guarantee for safety.”
I wonder if this time the week would pass without accidents. I hope so, although I know that judging from what is happening on our roads there may be no room for optimism.
I must admit I have no magic solution to the problem and I think many like me find themselves helpless in the face of this terrible dilemma.
As long as people are not willing to learn and draw lessons, I see no end to the carnage.
Arab News From the Local Press 20 March 2003
