Israel’s News Blog Magazine: Daily Stories Video and Photos

By Maurice Picow

Over 211 killed so far in 2006

Not long ago, I wrote an article for this blogsite regarding new traffic laws introduced by the Israel Transport Ministry that would, hopefully help reduce the terrible carnage that continues on Israel’s streets and motorways. Since these new laws have been introduced, however, the road accident mayhem appears to be continuing unabated with no improvement in sight.

Even the tragic train accident occurring two weeks ago at Beit Yehosua, near Netanya, involved a truck driver who tried to be clever and ’steal the railway crossing’ by going across, though he knew that a train was bearing down on him. This accident alone claimed seven lives, and was proceeded by one in southern Israel that claimed even more fatalities, also caused by a truck driver trying to cross before the train arrived. Large trucks seem to be continuously involved in fatal accidents, and the one televised a few days ago in which the truck cab was pictured literally sitting on the squashed front portion of a passenger car, crushing to death the parents of children sitting in the back seat. Israel’s motorways are being overly saturated with automobiles, and are being even more congested with these huge semi-trailers that ply them daily, carrying anything from bulk chemicals and live animals, to 40 foot’ hi-cube ocean shipping containers. As these trucks are not able (or allowed) to travel at speeds of more than 80 km per hour, smaller vehicles constantly try to pass them; often with disastrous results. Many of these truck/car or bus/car accidents occur in either the Galilee or in the barren Negev stretch leading to the resort city of Eilat. The previously posted photo of a small call trying to pass between two large trucks is a classic example of what often happens on the particularly hazardous stretch of road leading from Beer Sheva to Eilat.

While efforts of present Israel Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz to help reduce road accidents are commendable, strict traffic law enforcement alone is not enough to reduce road fatalities. It now appears that an intense road safety education effort must be made if the general public is going to begin to start practicing better driving habits. No country, even the USA, has been able to completely eliminate deaths from traffic accidents. By introducing a good driver’s education program into the country’s school system, the amount of death and personal injury can be reduced significantly. It doesn’t just stop here, however. Courses in personal etiquette must be given as well; and these ‘courses’ need to begin with small children as young as age 3. The time worn personal ego syndromes that far too many people have in this country have to be simply ‘re-programmed’. This “me first” and “I have the right of way” attitude has to be changed to being cautious and practicing proper rules of personal conduct, as well as observing the “rules of the road”. Slowing down when traffic lights begin to change, instead of speeding up to go through on the orange or even red light can save scores of lives per year.

In a few days, thousands of young children will be out of school for their two month summer vacation. It’s not too much to ask that all of us endeavor to make sure that these kids will all be able to go back to school again; and not become traffic statistic, due to driver carelessness or irresponsibility. Lets all work together to save lives, especially those of our children.