Many people believe that reducing speed limit is the best option for road safety improvement. Do you think there are other measures that could be put in place? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

 Many people believe that reducing speed limit is the best option for road safety improvement. Do you think there are other measures that could be put in place? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

Rising incidence of road accidents has prompted many to suggest imposing speed limits to afford road safety. This approach has its own set or favorable and unfavorable outcomes, but on a serious note there is hardly any alternative available to this setting.

Many who are sceptical  of the proposal of prohibiting high speed driving claim that the mishaps occur due to poor road sense and negligent attitude of the drivers, which stem from the liberal approach adopted by authorities  in extending licenses and imposing penalties. They suggest that if zero tolerance were exercised, and  offenders severely penalized, those driving recklessly would be forced to adhere to driving norms. 

This lobby cites  the detrimental impact lowering speeds can have on the people and the environment. Slower traffic will cause an increment in travelling times, stress levels, and pollution. People will be forced to leave their homes or offices earlier to reach their destinations on time, or run the risk of reaching late, causing unprecedented stress. Additionally, vehicles moving at a snail’s pace will result in traffic snarls/jams, thereby raising the emission levels due to increased use of fuels.

 

However, notwithstanding all the criticism, which lacks substance, curtailing the driving speed is a practical solution. With such a law in place, drivers will be persuaded to limit their instincts of driving fast; thus, giving themselves room and time to judge and react to an abrupt situation on the  road ahead which may include conditions of the traffic and the roads, and also pedestrians appearing out of nowhere suddenly, consequently, averting accidents. 

 

Hence, controversies apart, I strongly feel that imposing a speed control law is the need of the hour even though this may have certain drawbacks, but the safety of those using the roads cannot be compromised.