Instead of the state investing in quality infrastructure, adequate training and effective campaigns, the focus is on collecting fines. Traffic police are often positioned with hidden cameras, not to prevent incidents, but to catch violators and impose penalties. This strategy creates a sense of hunting, not control, and relies on repression instead of security.
Lack of prevention
In civilized countries, prevention begins with clear signs, quality markings and good lighting. In contrast, in our country, the first interaction with control is often the fine received in the mail. Collecting funds from fines to buy new cameras and cars is not prevention. A surprise fine does not change the driver's behavior in the long term. True prevention is achieved through warning, education and stimulating thinking, but these measures do not generate revenue. When the state confuses its priorities, the results are visible in the statistics: the number of victims does not decrease, and trust in institutions collapses.
The absurdities of the new laws
Recently adopted changes to the road traffic law have caused serious criticism, as the penalties do not distinguish between an accident and a crime. For example, if a driver, following all the rules, hits a pedestrian who suddenly jumped out onto the road from a prohibited place, he can be sentenced to a minimum of 5 years in prison, without the right to a suspended sentence.
The new texts in the penal code provide: Causing death without exceeding the speed limit: 5 years in prison. Causing serious bodily injury: up to 4 years in prison.
These laws punish even innocent drivers who are involved in a tragic accident. The problem is that the law does not distinguish between a crime and an accident, which makes it legally disproportionate and morally unjust.
Washing hands with punishments
Until the state takes serious measures to reform driver training, improve infrastructure, and effectively control drugs and alcohol, it shifts all responsibility onto the driver. Things like poorly maintained roads, missing markings, or malfunctioning traffic lights often end up being the driver's responsibility, even if he is the victim of the circumstances.
The concept of reckless speeding is becoming a universal excuse for prosecutors. Potholes, ice, aquaplaning, or a sudden breakdown – all can be interpreted as reckless driving. Lawyers describe the new texts as populist, which could lead to convictions for people who are not guilty.
Ultimately, the most vulnerable target remains the ordinary person behind the wheel, who is easily accessible and has no one to protect him. A law that does not distinguish between crime and tragedy is simply official injustice.