In light of the overwhelming rates of deaths engendered by traffic accidents, a school of thoughts holds that only by implementing more draconian traffic laws can the safety of our roads be enhanced. However, in this essay I will challenge this notion given that the promotion of public awareness and the enhancement of road infrastructure are far more viable alternatives.
Granted, stringent punishments for traffic violations may enhance road safety in myriad facets. Evidence for this can be seen in those who are found running red lights, driving recklessly or speeding would have to pay hefty fines, and those found driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs would have their driving license suspended or even be sentenced to jail. These punitive measures may act as an effective deterrent in order to deter road users from committing traffic offences, leading to fewer accidents.
However, I staunchly advocate that education and infrastructure improvements are considerably more efficacious. Regarding education, educational programs via schools, social media platforms and community centers are at the core of the enhancement of responsible behavior while vehicles users participate in traffic. By participating in these schemes, individuals become aware of the risks associated with reckless driving and tend to avoid breaking traffic rules and imperiling themselves and other transport users. As for the road infrastructure, it is imprudent to discount environmental factors posing a threat to the safety of road users. Evidence indicates that an overwhelming number of tragic deaths are given rise to by subpar roads, blind spots or insufficient numbers of road signs. Road safety, hence, can certainly be guaranteed by repairing potholes or widening narrow roads, removing objects or overgrown plants that hinder drivers’ sights, and setting up more road signs.
In conclusion, enforcing tougher punishments for driving violations may be workable to a certain degree but is by no means the only strategy to boost the safety of road users. Other equally viable panaceas encompass increased public consciousness regarding traffic safety and enhanced road infrastructure.