Thoughtful steps to reduce road terrorism: The draft traffic law is still under discussion – Algerian Al-Hiwar newspaper

Iman Dahmani

In light of the recent escalation in traffic accidents, which have led to heavy and painful human losses, the government decided to act urgently and thoughtfully, and here the new draft traffic law stands out as a decisive step aimed at restoring discipline to the roads. And protecting lives from road terrorism, a law that is still in the discussion stage and has not yet entered into force. However, it is expected to contribute effectively to combating violations and dangerous maneuvers that threaten the lives and safety of citizens.

The law is not limited only to controlling traffic, but also seeks to impose strict deterrence on the most serious violators, including imprisonment, which is only applied to those proven responsible for a traffic accident that led to death, due to driving under the influence of drugs or alcoholic beverages.

It also confirms that adherence to the law and individual awareness are the basic factors to ensure the safety of everyone on the roads, in a clear attempt to reduce fatal accidents and achieve a safer traffic environment, and it also reflects the state’s keenness to protect the life of citizens.

An alarming increase in the trend of traffic accidents

The draft law came in response to the state of anxiety that has gripped citizens during the recent period, after the alarming rise in the curve of recorded traffic accidents, as the law focuses on deterring all road users, from private drivers to drivers of heavy vehicles and motorcycles, who commit violations or perform dangerous maneuvers that threaten the lives of others.

The state’s interest in responding to citizens’ concerns

The law aims primarily to protect lives and prevent accidents that may lead to death or permanent disabilities, which reflects the state’s interest in responding to citizens’ concerns and clearly shows through its precise wording that the law does not target minor violations, but rather focuses on the most serious cases, which deserve severe but carefully defined penalties to ensure justice and protect society.

Sustainable traffic security dimension

The draft law carries a vision with a sustainable traffic security dimension, by balancing between the preventive aspect and the deterrent aspect, as it includes the obligatory submission of medical tests proving the absence of drug abuse and psychotropic substances for candidates wishing to obtain or renew a driving license, or those working in the field of professional driving, to ensure the safety of drivers on the roads.

Encouraging a culture of reporting and raising awareness

The law also encourages raising the level of traffic awareness among citizens and civil society and encouraging a culture of reporting and participation in building a society committed to traffic safety. It also includes imposing precise technical specifications for vehicles, permanent and appropriate preparation and maintenance of road infrastructure, and equipping the relevant departments with digital monitoring devices, while moving towards automatic monitoring of traffic violations and crimes.

Motivational mechanisms for committed drivers

In addition, the project includes incentive mechanisms for drivers who adhere to traffic safety rules, such as creating awards to enhance the culture of commitment and excellence in the field of safety, through the creation of the President’s Award in this field.

Through these integrated measures, the draft law reflects its interest in reducing the number of accidents, reducing the resulting human and material damage, and ensuring the continuation of the transportation system in a safe and orderly manner, making it a strategic tool to protect lives and establish a culture of commitment on the roads.

An important regulatory step in the reform process

In this context, Professor Sari Nasreddine, Secretary-General of the Algerian Center for Economic Studies and Research in Local Development Issues, said in a statement to Al-Hiwar that the new draft traffic law constitutes “an important regulatory step in the path of reforming the transport sector, especially from the perspective of reducing traffic accidents, which still represent one of the most prominent social and economic challenges in Algeria.”

“Truck” accidents…the largest percentage

The same spokesman explained that the approach upon which the project is based is not limited to the deterrent aspect only, but rather aims to establish a balanced legal framework that combines responsibility for enhancing safety and improving the quality of service in various modes of transportation, especially public transportation and truck transportation, which accounts for the largest percentage of recorded accidents.

Sari stressed that the importance of this law lies in its focus on regulating the profession and clearly defining the responsibilities of those involved, whether it concerns drivers, transportation institutions, or oversight bodies, which would reduce the manifestations of chaos and recklessness that contributed to the exacerbation of traffic accidents.

Effective preventive tools precede sanctions

He also pointed out that tightening the conditions for carrying out transportation activity, improving technical monitoring standards for vehicles, and modernizing the training and awareness system constitute effective preventive tools to reduce dangerous behavior on the roads before reaching the punishment stage.

On the other hand, he highlighted that the draft traffic law opens the way for the integration of digitization and technological means in monitoring activity by tracking vehicles, controlling work times, and monitoring compliance with laws, which enhances transparency and limits violations.

He considered that this trend would improve traffic safety and reduce human and material losses that cost the national economy significant burdens annually.”

Improving traffic safety

Professor Sari concluded that the new draft transportation law, if strictly implemented and effectively accompanied on the ground, could constitute a real lever for improving traffic safety, and moving from the logic of treatment after accidents occur to the logic of prior prevention, in a way that serves the interest of the citizen, preserves lives, and supports social stability.”

Ensuring continuity of services is a priority

On the other hand, fuel prices witnessed a limited and simple increase, which comes within the framework of meeting the demands of gas station owners and ensuring the continued provision of services to citizens, by ensuring the owners’ ability to achieve a reasonable profit margin. It should be noted that the voices raised for a strike coincided with similar strikes in the transportation sectors in other countries, which leaves open the question about the real and undeclared goals of these instigators, especially since they come in light of market stability and the continuation of services provided to citizens.