Thank you very much for the great work that you do in keeping us safe, it doesn’t go unnoticed and we are better for it.

Thank you for increasing the number of police on the road – it really does make a difference.

I would however like to bring to your attention some issues that concern me and others that I have heard complaining about some things in our traffic systems.

Recently someone close to me took their car for the annual inspection, a.k.a. “control technique” (this name should change…) and was turned away because the car paint was fading!!!!  I did not believe it until someone else actually said the same.  How does car paint affect road safety?  Is it really something that should be the focus of inspection?

As it is there are so many things wrong on our roads that you should be more concerned with.  For example:

1. Child safety: Many a time, I see children in cars roaming around, standing in windows, sitting on laps in a playful manner – list goes on.  This is by far the most bothersome issue.  We need to mandate the use of car seats and even have them be an import tax free item – because it is a life necessity.  The children are our future and by God, we must end this negligence by parents.  Maybe there it is an issue of awareness, in which case you must make this part of drivers education, do public awareness campaigns – do whatever it takes to make sure that children are in car seats.  Take a leaf from the US laws on child safety.  

   Continuing with this, children under 13 should not be allowed to walk alone without supervision of an adult.  This can also be a mandate for the home – no child under 13 should be left alone. 

2. Emissions:  So many cars that blow soot (dark fumes) that are on the road.  If “control technique” is tight – police should be stopping and fining these cars
3.  Public transport vehicles: Many a “twejyerane” just look like they shouldn’t be on the road.  They are very old and banged up, breaks squeak like crazy.  Not to mention that they are the most reckless vehicles on the road – more needs to be done for them to stop in designated areas.  This goes for buses and mini-buses that stop so haphazardly in the quest to pick/drop off passengers without regard for road safety.  

I am sure others have other concerns and the list may certainly go on…but please lets not waste time and obviously money on none issues like a paint job.  Let’s have our “control technique” ensures that cars meet  safety and emissions standards, that traffic police make sure children are safe and protected, and traffic rules are obeyed.  

While we are on the subject of cars, let us follow Kenya’s example of not allowing imports of cars older than eight years!  The older the car, the higher the environmental impact. 

Thank you! 

Sincerely Yours, 

Concerned citizen