There is a view that the safety of roads hinges merely on stringent penalties for those who commit offences. While I acknowledge the importance of effective law enforcement, I believe that fostering more responsible drivers would make a far more significant difference.
Admittedly, severe fines push many drivers to move at a slower pace. Most people, nowadays, are already encumbered by their financial issues. In this context, additional fines for traffic offences will push them to their thresholds, both financially and mentally. So, in order to avoid these cascading problems, drivers have no choice but to reduce their speed. Low speed often has a positive correlation with fewer road incidents, which means that it can promote overall road safety. In essence, financial penalties for committing traffic violations work best due to the current problems faced by the community. Notwithstanding, I remain convinced that traffic fines are neither the only nor the best way to ensure road safety.
Many drivers, especially those who drive at high speeds, often use anti-radar devices, which alert them when to slow down. At this juncture, they can continue driving fast without getting caught or paying fines. Instead, educating future drivers to bear the responsibility for driving safely and to be accountable for the risks they pose to other people's lives is a more practical alternative for reducing traffic accidents. Therefore, the top priority of driving schools, inevitably after the main goal itself, should be educating them how responsible they are on the roads and developing their understanding of human psychology in decision-making. In conclusion, although I recognize the benefits fines have brought about until now, I uphold the view that educating drivers to be responsible and aware of the risks they pose is a far more effective means of safeguarding road safety.