Let’s make it a happy new year, not just say it

Happy New Year! This is a greeting we exchange with one another for the first couple of weeks of every new year – but do we really mean it? How can we, when we act in such irresponsible ways?
For the ±1’400 people killed on our roads, which this year included Olympian cyclist Burry Sander, it certainly won’t be a happy new year.

What is it with the South African mentality that we disregard rules and laws? Is it really cool to break them? Is it clever to boast about what you have got away with? Is it glamorous to be a criminal? I must be missing something.

As far as I can see, irresponsible, careless behaviour results in wasted lives, traumatised communities and a fertile breeding ground for the blame-culture to flourish.

Perhaps we’re ignorant of the law, but as they say, ‘ignorance is no defence in the eyes of the law’. Perhaps we are arrogant enough to think that laws do not apply to us, the police will never catch us and we can buy our way out of trouble. Or perhaps we believe we are above the law.

Laws are put in place to protect everybody, not just the rich and famous, not just the previously disadvantaged but all of us, so please can we start abiding by them?

Surely it’s not that difficult to be a considerate motorist and watch out for cyclists and pedestrians. What about becoming a responsible parent? Use a seatbelt on your small child in the front seat, and get off your cell phone when driving.

Why do we need the threat of law enforcement to do the right thing – are we really that unintelligent? Perhaps it’s all about showing off to our peers – how selfish and stupid is that when it boils down to playing Russian roulette with the lives of your own loved ones?

Forty daily deaths on the roads and 50 murders a day is no way to celebrate the festive season.
Accidents don’t just happen, they are a result of individuals not paying due care when dealing with their own lives and the lives of others.

On New Year’s Day, a lady in Plett’s main street highlighted the fact to a male owner of a 4×4 that driving in traffic with a young child on his lap while talking on the cell phone was highly dangerous. She got nothing but a mouthful of abuse for her trouble.

While on the subject, be a considerate dog owner and don’t blame the lack of notices on public beaches for allowing your dog(s) off the leash to terrorise others and foul the area.

Fishermen and other beach users, take your rubbish with you when leaving the beach. Riders, don’t even think about taking horses onto the beach unless you have a permit.

Life is not cheap and the more we live in harmony and respect each other, the better life is. Let’s make 2013 the year when, as South Africans, we show we really appreciate these simple facts.

Lauren Sinclair, Keurbooms

Source: CXpress