00:00Economist Indira Sajuan says when motorists think about having to pay the increased fines,
00:05which can be due to a simple mistake, it can cause a feeling of unfairness and concern among them.
00:11But she says the broader perspective is from the viewpoint of irresponsible behavior on the roads
00:16and the serious impact that can have.
00:18She highlights, for example, people who drive without insurance.
00:21Those who end up the victim could be out of pocket to the extent that it could cause them not to have money to buy food.
00:30Or it could cause their lives or limb.
00:33It certainly, one would hope, would act as a serious deterrent to individuals
00:39and make us think clearly if we are going to go behind the wheel of a vehicle
00:44and we are going to drive them, we have to take very seriously the responsibilities that come with that.
00:49Sajuan admits that the economic situation in the country is bad
00:53and the government is in need of revenue to run the country.
00:56And she notes that the increase in fines stand to be beneficial.
00:59But that is conditional.
01:01The government, obviously, it may not be realized if we all now start to follow the rules
01:06and we don't end up in a situation where we have to be fine.
01:09But if persons continue to be responsible, then it means more money in the pockets of the government.
01:16Sajuan doesn't believe the latter is the intention.
01:19To suggest that the government did this purely to raise revenue would suggest that they anticipate that people will continue to break the law
01:30and they will continue to engage in all these negative things while they're driving
01:36and that the constant government will, you know, get a lot of money out of it.
01:40I don't believe that that is the case.
01:43On the issue of government not having prior consultations, the economist says fines which will cause people to implore a greater sense of responsibility are more important.
01:54However, she isn't leaving it there, saying the government should embark on a public education campaign.
01:59The amendments were issued on Christmas Day and take effect on January 1st, which she says some might be aware of due to the public outcry.
02:08But still there are a lot of people who may not know.
02:11So I believe public sensitization to it is very important.
02:16And even if it means, before it's time that it comes into effect, maybe by two weeks or a month,
02:23that government ensures it takes what it's doing seriously enough to ensure that everyone knows.
02:30And while some argue that the demerit point system was for most parts removed only to implement these stiff penalties
02:36as deceit from the government, Sadiouan sees it differently.
02:40There are two different things.
02:42Because one, if I get a ticket for speeding, I pay the fine.
02:47And, you know, I pay the fine and at the end of that, it doesn't affect my driving.
02:51The demerit point meant that it affected my driver's permit.
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