ALT-4 Transportation and Safety
Safety in the transportation industry has been an on going process now since the beginning of the automobile. Each year new engineering designs are developed, new and improved safety guidelines are made, and millions and millions of dollars are spent in the hopes of keeping us safe. Well guess what? Even with the most innovative technology, and the best laid safety guidelines established, people keep on dying. Why you ask, it is due to a large part because of our own carelessness.
The number of people killed in auto accidents each year averages from thirty nine to forty three thousand. Forty percent of that number is due to drunk driving. When are we as a nation going to "really" get a handle on this problem? Just look at all the programs we have in place and advertisements on TV trying to deter the problem. Well then why are so many people dying? The answer is a simple one. It's law enforcement. Now I grant you that in some states the law is very hard on drunk drivers, most states aren't.
Many times drunk drivers get two and sometimes three warnings before anything is done to them. I say it's time we adopt a national plan on drunk driving. If you get stopped for a blood alcohol of over .08, you immediately lose your license for one year and have to go through a drug and alcohol counseling program. If convicted again for the same offense, no more driving privilege. That's right, no more driving, because after all, it "is" a privilege not a right. I believe that with a law like that, one with teeth, you would see a vast decline in the number of traffic deaths not only nationwide but internationally as well.
Another area of concern is in wearing seatbelts. Here again, in the U.S., it is a mandated that everyone wears seatbelts, why, because they save lives. Now I don't work for AAA or any national travel safety bureau, but again, this law is a sham. It also has no teeth. With the proper punishment (and it's too bad we need punishment to be able to live), many lives could be saved. Why isn't this law enforced?
I guess where I'm going with this is while the transportation industry is coming up with great ideas to save lives, it is up to us as responsible adults to be aware that these are for our safety and do what is required. Then, if we don't follow the mandated laws for our own good, lets dish out some real punishment to deter our childish and immature behavior.
Should this be necessary, no it shouldn't? Is saving possible hundreds to thousands of lives worth the punitive consequences, I believe so, anyone else?
I believe the National Bureau of Transportation here in America and I'm sure in other countries are doing everything they can to help make driving safer. It is up to us to do our part in making this a reality. So let's do our part, wear the seatbelts, obey the various traffic signs, but most importantly, remember if you drink, don't drive. Lets work together with these agencies and make driving a fun and safe experience.
