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Writer's pictureSetrida Chikwense

Driver's Code or A Threat ?


I have observed drivers flash their headlights alerting other drivers about traffic police or law enforcement ahead . I have also seen several posts on social media where users warn each other about speed traps and sobriety/traffic police check points.


This, it seems is standard road user/drivers' “code” that is apparently done in good faith to protect fellow road users from being prosecuted or penalized for violating traffic laws and regulations. While traffic rules and regulations do not consider this a violation, we cannot deny that it interferes with the official duties of traffic police or any other law enforcement. You can agree with me that this behavior encourages criminal activities. Careless drivers get away with violating traffic laws, and people involved in illicit activities (smugglers, traffickers) easily escape law enforcement.


It is commonly known that every road user has a duty to ensure one’s safety as well as the safety of other road users. By warning intoxicated or unfit drivers to avoid detection by taking detours, you are taking part in endangering the lives of other road users. Just a reminder that sobriety checks have been shown to significantly reduce the number of traffic accidents caused by intoxicated or irresponsible driving since they were introduced and enforced, why would anyone want to work against that?


Whenever, you think of warning other road users of law enforcement ahead, please take a moment to think about who that is protecting and proceed to think about the danger that, that may pose to other road users.


On 18th August,2017, the Malawi government launched a national alcohol policy whose aim was to help reduce harmful use of alcohol use, by putting in place different measures, such as enforcing laws against drunk-driving by implementing random sobriety checkpoints

Let us all priotize our safety as well as everyone else’s by obeying traffic rules and regulations and, let's not get in the way of law enforcement.


Be safe, follow road safety rules!

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