By Dr Lubinda Haabazoka
Cameras are a very good way of ensuring that motorists
abide by traffic rules. As a matter of fact in Europe, this art is
so perfected that you find cameras almost every kilometer.
One thing we need to know though is that before
implementing them, there should be a lot of things to be
done to ensure fairness, accuracy and effectiveness.
1. There is need to inform the general public way in advance about implementation of the same. Most Zambians sell their vehicles without even changing ownership so it is possible that one can default on payments simply because they never got the sms.
2. There is need to ensure that speed limits do not cause congestion. In a country and in cities where time is an important factor, you don’t expect the drive to the airport to
take 2 hours because of speed limits. On Kafue road in Lusaka for example, there is a barrier between the dual carriage way to stop pedestrians from crossing. Why should
motorists drive at 40km per hour? Won’t the cameras just be used as a scheme to make money off poor motorists? On Ndola Lusaka Road, there are portions you should drive at
60km per hour! Are you guys serious? What time will I
reach Ndola?
In Germany for example, you are not allowed
to drive less than 100km per hour on some roads! This is
21st century. Goods and people should move quickly to
ensure efficiency in the economy!!!!
3. Why did RTSA rush to implement the cameras before
putting up proper speed signs and also signs to ensure
motorists are warned of the cameras? The intention of the
cameras is not to make money but to ensure compliance of
motorists! Why hide the cameras?
It’s not Tom and Jerry
game but real life of fairness and transparency! The fact
that a report was released on how much was collected just
shows that the whole thing is meant to mint money and not
to maintain order on roads!
4. Why doesn’t RTSA first solve its issues before rushing to
collect money from over speeding motorists? RTSA has not been issuing licenses for a long time now because either there is no material for printing, the system is down or for some funny reason. I have been using the temporary license for over 2 years now so it worries me to see how we rush to installing cameras but forget about licenses!
5. I am surprised that fines can easily be paid for but for road tax, fitness and other unnecessary fees people should
line up! If you are introducing something, make sure it
improves your work in all avenues!
6. Everyone knows that electronics might not be perfect.
Why should someone pay for exceeding the speed limit by a
km per hour? Please add +7km per hour error of margin.
Such is the practice in developed countries.
7. Please outsource fitness inspections to insurance
companies! This is 2018 meaning Jesus died over 2000
years ago. We can’t be queuing for motor vehicle fitness
tests! If we want to enhance efficiency, then we want to
reduce queuing because people simply have no time for
that! What RTSA needs to do is to ensure that a fitness disc
is now issued by insurance companies. These companies
have assessors who assess vehicles when you are doing
comprehensive insurance. Most of them can even be trained
to meet RTSA requirements for inspectors! If such is done,
we shall get a one time visit to our insurance companies to
pay for road tax and do fitness testing rather than queuing
at mimosa or chasing around for a ratsa station whose
system is working. This system has been implemented in
countries in Europe!
8. Eventually money collected by RTSA in fines will reduce
as motorists become compliant but it doesn’t mean
accidents will reduce. How can they reduce when we have
no street lighting?
Our roads especially outside Lusaka
are so dark hence motorists not seeing the pedestrians!
RTSA please also take up street lighting since your mandate
is to reduce traffic accidents! We always blame the driver
and not the pothole or poor street lighting!
9. Have a nice week and please consider number 7!
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