Comment on "School bus accident kills 20 in NW China" (China Daily, Nov 16)

The accident was indeed a terrible tragedy. As a Westerner who drives in China, I think more people will die in such accidents in China until the government starts teaching and enforcing safe driving.

I am sure that there are very good drivers in China, but for the most part their abilities on the road are poor.

When you drive on roadways and highways, you become part of a complex system, which has rules and a structure to ensure its harmonious function. When you take the controls of a motor vehicle you must also take the responsibility that comes with it. There is no room for selfishness when driving.

I don't know why so many Chinese people don't follow traffic rules, and I think quite a few don't even understand the rules. It is the responsibility of a driver to know and understand the rules and the vehicle he/she is driving, and to drive safely for the benefit of everyone.

But it is up to the government to educate drivers and enforce the rules. This problem can be fixed only if there is the will to do so.

Darrell, on China Daily website

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(China Daily 11/29/2011 page9)