Yet another piece of distressing news of a fatal commuter bus accident in the northern part of the country that claimed five lives, causing 17 injuries, 15 in critical condition.

As families mourn their loved ones and others waiting anxiously for news it is difficult to avoid asking questions; could the accident have been averted?

Many people have a fatalistic approach to life; they say it all depends on destiny whether one is to live or die, but can’t we reduce the odds?

Traffic regulations are there exactly for that reason; to force people to operate within the rules to limit accidents. If one does not observe traffic signs, i.e speed limits, and hazardous warnings, then the inevitable is bound to happen.

Whenever such tragic accidents occur, the police usually pull out all the stops to enforce order on our roads, they make their presence felt. But after some time, they let down their guard and then the vicious cycle begins again.

Whatever happened to the highly publicised speed governors for commercial vehicles, especially commuter vehicles! Transport regulatory authorities need to stamp down their feet hard if we are to see the end of road carnage.

But the government can do just that much and it also needs a push in the back. Passengers also have their role to play. Why should they remain silent when a driver is speeding?

All commuter transport vehicles have emergency telephone numbers clearly displayed. How many passengers have used the numbers to alert authorities of drivers’ life-endangering antics?

At the end of the day, it is not just about fate; our lives are in our hands and we should play our part to conserve them.