It was a good gesture by a local newspaper when it carried out a random survey of men and women with driving licences and questioned them about people’s behaviour on the roads.
While most of the responses were very positive and everyone rejected drivers’ bad behaviour, what came to the forefront was the respondents’ disapproval of a lack of commitment of some in following rules – driving on emergency lanes and a complete lack of respect for fellow motorists.
This is why I feel that the survey should have been more scientifically conducted.
It should have included drivers from different age groups so that we could have received a broader view of what is needed to be done.
There should have been an official of the Traffic Directorate on hand, commenting on and clarifying several issues that were raised and speaking on the nature of legal procedures taken against violators.
The official could also have spoken about plans to ensure drivers comply with rules for the safety of all.
However, what struck me about people’s responses was that many of them spoke about the same issues – but no one mentioned anything about traffic culture, which was actually necessary.
I believe that simply paying a fine and getting away is just not enough to curb bad behaviour on roads.
What we need – and the Traffic Directorate officials are doing it all the time to the best of their abilities – is to educate the public at various forums and levels so that the entire community gets involved in the process.
I would also like to mention here steps taken by Western nations and other developed countries, where everyone follows rules to the letter – which results in people driving with utmost confidence.
These countries incorporate traffic culture and programmes in their education system from an early age, which results in everyone being highly disciplined on roads. This is, however, missing in Arab societies.
At the end of the day, we need to plan well and not blame traffic congestion, which we are suffering from in any case. We also have poor infrastructure that does not meet either the current or future needs, however, that is not an excuse for bad road behaviour.
We are always ready to blame traffic congestion and tailbacks when we reach late for a meeting but what is preventing us from planning in advance and taking such a situation into account.
If we do not cultivate the right culture and work to adhere to that culture, we will never progress. This, however, needs vigorous and painstaking efforts as well as the support of everyone in the community, particularly students in schools, colleges and universities.
We have to understand that we need to change our behaviour if we have to get somewhere and make a mark.
We also have to understand that just imposing fines and stricter penalties will never be enough.