
An Australian politician is being called “heartless” after suggesting that truckers receive electric shocks if their eyes leave the road while on the job.
Melinda Pavey, Roads Minister for New South Wales, was on a radio show on January 17th speaking about the increased number of accidents involving commercial vehicles in Australia, when she made the suggestion that truck drivers should be equipped with electric shock bracelets.
“The technology now is so advanced, a driver can be driving and get an electric shock if they look away for more than two seconds,” Pavey said.
“If a driver is a fluttering their eyes in tiredness or looking away, there are a variety of measures that can alert the driver,” Pavey continued.
“That can be through an electronic jab through the seat that gives a slight buzz or a message… Some of our best companies are using that technology and investing in their workforce and safety.”
In only 24 hours, five people in NSW have been killed in three truck-related crashes. Rather than address the extreme and unfair working conditions that are causing truck deaths, NSW Roads Minister @melindapaveyMP has seriously suggested *electrocuting drivers behind the wheel*. pic.twitter.com/ZGmzJrEAFF
— TWU NSW (@TWUNSW) January 17, 2018
According to News Hub, New South Wales saw a 45 percent increase in fatalities from heavy truck crashes from 2016 to 2017, and in the past week alone, three truck drivers and two car drivers were killed on Australian highways.
Despite the recent accidents, many are still appalled at the politician’s dramatic suggestion.
“Ms. Pavey’s suggestion is heartless, arrogant and completely incompetent,” said New South Wales State Secretary of the Transport Workers Union, Richard Olsen.
“The proposal to electrocute people in their vehicles is deeply offensive to the families of those killed,” Olsen continued, stating that most accidents involving big rigs in the last year were due to “extreme and unfair working conditions,” which Ms. Pavey has yet to acknowledge.
Pavey later claimed to have been quoted out of context, but stuck by her opinion that technology should be used to prevent future accidents.
“If we can’t have a decent honest conversation about the technology available, we have some issues,” she said.