The new Inspector General (IG) of Malawi Police Service, Richard Luhanga, has recently issued a directive that stops roadblock checks during the peak hours.
Proponents of this order argue that eliminating roadblock checks during peak hours help alleviate traffic jams, allowing for smoother flow of vehicles and reducing travel times for commuters.
By a consequence, less congestion on the road often leads to increased productivity as people spend less time in traffic, potentially benefiting local businesses and the economy at large.
As a result, it is believed that the Mkulukuta Moyo government will be viewed more favorably by the public for taking steps to reduce inconvenience on our roads thereby improving daily commutes.
Needless to overemphasise that law enforcement resources can also be redirected to other areas where they are more needed, such as crime prevention or community engagement.
Despite the aforementioned benefits of the IG’s directive, its negative repercussions must also be considered.
For starters, reducing roadblock checks will potentially lead to an increase in criminal activities, such as drug trafficking or other illegal activities, as offenders will feel they have a lower risk of being caught during the peak hours.
Furthermore, it is important to know that roadblocks serve as a deterrent for impaired or reckless driving. They are not erected for luxury purposes.
Therefore, their absence during peak hours will potentially lead to an increase in accidents or unsafe driving behaviors.
Additionally, by implementing such directive, some critics feel that the Mkulukuta Moyo government is neglecting public safety by not conducting checks during high-traffic times, culminating into a potential loss of trust in law enforcement.
Obvious eliminating roadblocks during peak hours only will disproportionately affect certain communities or demographics, leading to perceptions of inequity in law enforcement practices.
In conclusion, the decision to stop roadblock checks during peak hours was supposed to be taken after weighing the benefits of improved traffic flow and economic efficiency against the potential risks to public safety and crime prevention.
It is therefore my considered view that roadblock checks should not be necessarily removed altogether during peak others but they must be erected on an irregular basis.
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