In our statistic-ridden world we sometimes hear of what is called a "risk index". This enables us to decide when we should panic and when we should be calm; most of us, however, go about the business of living — including driving — without ever giving a thought to "acceptable" risks.
First of all, everybody will ask what an acceptable risk is. Some risks such as dying because of a possible allergic reaction to medication are voluntarily run. Others such as being struck by lightning are not. And with some, such as dying in a traffic accident, the risk varies according to precautions taken and safety standards observed. What constitutes an acceptable risk is usually determined by those who are not actually involved. We are told there is a calculated risk in whatever we do. When we drive to work, we are taking a risk because you are sharing the road with others. These "others" include some who care about safe driving and an unfortunately large number of reckless and impatient drivers. Some run red lights and take the risk. Most people, however, stop at the signals and run the risk of being hit by those who prefer to live — and perhaps die — dangerously.
The majority of drivers are careful when they park; they try to make sure that they are not blocking another car or an exit. They are surprised when they return to their car, laden with shopping bags, to find that their vehicle is trapped — blocked in by one or more automobiles. Half an hour later plus many "sorrys" and "maalishes", the problem is solved and the car that was blocked in is finally on its way. The risk again increases as the driver approaches another set of traffic lights. The car behind him screeches to a halt and misses his by an inch. His blood pressure surges but all he can do is sigh with relief at the near miss — maalish.
Ideally driving along wide Jeddah streets should be a safe and relatively hassle-free experience but judging by the number of accidents, it isn’t. Blame the men, the machines or the way people drive but the problem persists, just like the smells of overflowing sewage. Well, that’s a different story.
Listening to music, says an Australian academic, can transform you from a road-rager to a responsible driver. Enjoying music while on a joyride with friends is likely to improve your reaction time — as a driver — plus your ability to avoid a hazard. Well, that is if you are not otherwise occupied on your mobile phone. In our eagerness to use good roads and the powerful machines we ride in, we overlook the basic fact that all these modern conveniences were invented with one aim: To benefit mankind. But with a death every two hours — and dozens maimed and injured for life — in the Kingdom, we seem to have lost sight of that aim. Are we controlling the cars or are the cars controlling us? This is not merely the wrong end, but the tragic end of the stick.
A recent BBC program focused on children’s deaths on British roads — 150 every year. Several points were raised. They talked about three Es — education, enforcement and engineering. Education of road users — drivers as well as the pedestrians — is a massive project. It should begin in schools. Driving is not merely letting off steam on city streets and expressways. Any fool can do that. The idea is to reach your destination safely and in good health without breaking the sound barrier. It is a fact that speed kills and one doesn’t need a degree in physics to appreciate what happens when a moving object meets a fixed one or even worse, when two moving objects collide.
This raises the million-riyal question: Why all this crazy driving when the tragic end is so obvious? Over the past 10 years, some 37,000 persons have died and over 300,000 have been injured in road accidents in Saudi Arabia. While we have a lot to be proud of — good roads, good cars, plenty of traffic lights, dependable doctors and paramedics in well-equipped hospitals — the statistics shame us all.
Strict enforcement of traffic regulations — applying them indiscriminately to all drivers — must be seen to be operating. The attitude that traffic lights, road signs and lane markings are merely for decoration has to be changed. The perceptions that rules are for fools must be changed. Whether the cause is the nut at the wheel — or on the wheel — the "nut" must carry out its function safely and correctly.
As you leave the safety of your home and drive to work, you never know how long it will take to make the journey of only a few kilometers. Someone I know took 23 days to cover three kilometers! His route took him via a hospital, radiographers, specialists, therapists and a Shariah court. All because a "nut" needed fixing!
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(Tania Ahmad was born in Jeddah and went to Jeddah Prep. School. She is a student of Mass Communications at the American University, London.)
