The only way to improve the safety on our own road is to have stricter punishment for driving offenders. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The burgeoning car ownership in all parts of the world has brought the issue of road safety into limelight. The annual incidence of car accidents is nearly three times as high as the corresponding figure a decade ago. Many people are alarmed by this trend and opine that imposing stiffer punishment on the perpetrators is the only effective way to curb this disturbing phenomenon. However, I believe that this is just one way but not the only way to improve road safety. In the following paragraphs, I shall put forth my arguments to support my view.

Undoubtedly, more severe penalty does carry certain advantages in halting the driving offenses on the roads. First and foremost, it would be the most cost-effective way to deter the driving offenders. Heavy fines, long community service or even jail terms would naturally have some apprehension in the minds of those violating the traffic law. Government would not need to upgrade traffic surveillance cameras or augment traffic police force. Further, the effect of this hard-line approach would be immediate. Once the related law is passed, we would surely witness a substantial decline in driving offenses overnight.

The government could implement many ways to improve road safety. One effective way could be to encourage people to use public transport. This could be done very effectively by improving the comfort of public transport, decreasing the fares and increasing the frequency of public transport. Secondly, people could be made aware about the detrimental effects of private transport. Furthermore, road systems could be improved and traffic lights should be always in order. Finally the government could pass laws such as ‘one car per family’ to decrease the private vehicles.

At the individual level also many steps could be taken. People should realize that their safety depends on others safety. If they drive rashly, they are also bound to be injured. They should not drink and drive and always abide by the traffic laws. As the root cause of traffic accidents is too much congestion on the roads, it would be better if people avoid private transport as far as possible. Car-pooling is another effective step that people can take at their level. For example, if five people of the same block go to the same office then they could go on one car per day. It would be a win-win approach for all.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, having strict punishment would be one good way to improve road safety but many other steps could be taken at the government and individual level for this.