Because I have come to understand that making things illegal, that is, against the law, does not necessarily ensure that these things will be prevented or stopped, yet surely that is the complete and utter intent of making laws isn’t it?
Laws are made by the government, and enforced by their agencies, such as the police, customs, borders, and statutory bodies, to regulate behaviour, protect citizens, communities and societies, and to mediate matters of equality, justice, and morality, between individuals, groups, and within the national society, in the national interest.
This is not a ‘dictionary or legal definition, but a practical one, and the law should not always be seen as onerous or restrictive, but protective and nurturing, allowing people to grow unimpeded within their societies,
and sometimes, protecting them, often from themselves.
I’m angry because in the last week I have seen a man drive past me, while I was stopped at a ‘T’ junction, with a little baby of no more than 2-3 months, lying over his shoulder, with his hand on its back, driving one-handed. I have had a vehicle overtake me in my township, with what appeared to be a 7 or 8 year-old sitting in his father’s lap, steering the car. I have seen hundreds of children standing on seats, playing, jumping
and diving around in cars, NOT in seatbelts or child seats.
I’m angry because I walk a lot, because I’m overweight, and always do so with a light, reflective patterned top, and a handheld light in order to be safely seen by motorists, when I am not on a footpath, as there are many unpaved areas around our home.
My evening walks though, are challenged by the number and frequency of those little 50cc motor scooters, without lights usually, operated by children, in a terrifyingly unsafe manner. No lights, wrong side of the road, weaving in and out of parked and moving vehicles, sometimes ‘buzzing’ pedestrians, riding, and racing two, three, and four abreast. All of this... with no helmets!
I’m angry because, even in spite of an intensive ROP media campaign, drivers are still using phones while they are driving, and not just some, but many. In fact, it is clear and obvious that phone use while driving has reached epidemic proportions. Is it okay to watch a video or read a book while you’re driving? No? So why do you consider it okay to
talk, or even worse, text on your phone while driving?
I’m angry that in spite of such notaries as Mahatma Gandhi wrote that people should be encouraged to defy the law if it is against mankind, but the examples I have offered are not against mankind, but evidence of the folly, or even to be kind, the lack of concern for themselves, or the people around them. Yet, so many of you still disobey these laws.
I’m angry, so I ask you, how would you feel if an unsecured child, who would otherwise have lived, died because you never secured the child in your motor vehicle? How would you feel, if you allowed your son to ride a motor-scooter and he fell off, suffering head injury? How would you feel if you were distracted by a text message you were trying to read, and crashed your car killing or maiming innocent people?
I’m angry because none of you can justify in any shape or form, breaking the laws, established by Royal Decree, and promulgated to protect ALL of you, yourself and others, not just
you. Don’t wait for the police to catch you, act responsibly, and save yourself some money!
Ray Petersen
petersen_ray@hotmail.com
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