Global Courant
The title of this editorial was the eloquent phrase that appeared on signs and stickers from a bygone prevention campaign. Far from losing validity, it is increasingly necessary to remember this concept to generate a change in attitudes and move from recklessness to prudence, from haste behind the wheel to responsibility for one’s own life, that of passengers and those who share the public roads.
Without any desire to argue, promote stereotypes or create animosity, the increase in traffic accidents involving motorcyclists is notorious, not only in urban centers, but also on the country’s highways. Just last Sunday, the tragic death of a member of a motorhome was lamented at kilometer 87 of the route to the west, after having collided with a partner. The same day, two people on a motorcycle collided with a car on a street in Quetzaltenango, were ejected, and were left lying on the pavement. One of them was run over by the car. On June 20, a couple traveling on a motorcycle on the Cito Zarco route collided with an extra-urban bus, apparently while trying to pass. both perished.
There is a perception of an increase in accidents involving motorcycles, and it is correct. The figures denote the risk: of the 6,462 vehicles that have been involved in traffic accidents between January and July 4 of this year, there are 3,069 motorcycles: 48%. Its users are often more exposed to serious injury and even death. Risky behavior by drivers of cars, pickup trucks, buses and trucks increase the danger, but reckless attitudes that no authority sanctions also proliferate.
The vegetative increase in the vehicle fleet implies a greater probability of intense traffic on streets and highways. However, factors such as speed abuse, disrespect for traffic signs, inexperience or acrobatic exhibitionism on public roads also have an impact. If to this is added the frequent lack of a protective helmet and the overloading of motorcycles, the fatal probabilities grow.
There are also risks at other levels of locomotion, due to lack of vehicle maintenance, ignorance of routes and alcohol or drug intake. Each mishap is, in essence, unique, due to the factors that come together. However, the repetition of accidents in certain areas is becoming more and more noticeable as there is a greater influx. For example, when the Palín Escuintla highway was toll-free, it had accident insurance and these were sporadic, due to the same traffic restriction. However, since it was declared free by the Giammattei Falla government, the flow of heavy transport has increased exponentially and so have collisions and trailer rollovers.
The extra-urban passenger transport does not escape this neglect either. The old and sterile eagerness to compete for passage, the bets between pilots, the impatience in traffic jams and the latent human error due to fatigue or anxiety add to the poor condition of the units. A strong prevention and driver education campaign is needed, but also an institutional reinforcement to sanction recklessness, but for this a new Traffic Law is required. In the meantime, it is important to encourage every driver of any vehicle to be prudent on behalf of the loved ones who are waiting for them at home.
Drive carefully: your family is waiting for you
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