The story in Wednesday’s paper about building materials falling off a truck onto a bus while driving was downright scary. The picture clearly showed the extensive damage caused to the vehicle by the heavy concrete cinder blocks.
One of these narrowly missed the driver and it’s really a miracle nobody got hurt. The consequences for him but also his passengers easily could have been far more serious.
What makes the incident so disconcerting is that this kind of thing happens all the time. How often can’t stuff be seen on or along the streets that obviously fell during transport.
The sad part is that authorities, including current Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI Minister Miklos Giterson, have consistently impressed on contractors, truckers and heavy equipment operators to be more responsible in traffic. The message is either not getting through or being ignored by many.
Anything being transported on the road must be properly covered and secured. If motorists pay keen attention, they will notice this is not the case far too often.
It must be said: Police and public transport officials do occasionally conduct controls to discourage such practices, but they don’t seem to have the desired deterrent effect. Perhaps fewer warnings and more fines for this type of infraction can be given, their amount increased and/or more effort put into making sure they are actually paid, because that is apparently an ongoing issue.
Law enforcement authorities should keep in mind a well-known Dutch saying that –loosely translated – says, “Who doesn’t want to listen must feel.” In other words, and strictly figuratively speaking: Spare the rod, spoil the child.
