Re: Penalty points for foreign offences

Following up to Dave Frightens Me

Would harsher penalties make the roads any safer do you think?

<well, you sort of asked>
I think most people think the prospect of a long driving ban or
shorter prison sentence, or even a short ban, enough for them to
not want to be in an accident. In fact I never met anyone who
wanted to be in an accident, (i'm ignoring total dickheads here,
they are not influenced by anything, including driving bans).
I dont think speed is the problem, contrary to the governmemt
position, which sees it as the only issue. I think its about
observation and not even concentration, (too strong a word) just
paying reasonable attention, which some people dont do. How the
hell do you end up on the pavement?
I do know someone who mounted the pavement once, they reached
down for something (stupid) and couldnt steer in a straight line
while doing so (incompetant) and didnt feel ashamed of enough to
not joke about it (attitude, probably wouldnt happen nowadays).
Now this wasnt a Jeremy Clarkeson boyracer, just an ordinary mum.
I would suggest a partial answer to that, when identified from an
accident or whatever, is training, or "rehabilitation" if you
like. The driving test is no use, everybody is on best behavior
for that, so I dont know how you do it?
You could put the emphasis of publicity to paying attention,
rather than speed kills, also *appropraite* speed, why do people
drive past parked cars at the speed limit?
But lots are not taking any notice of not phoning while driving,
possibly because they allow hands free, which I dont think is the
point. Most anybody can drive with one hand, its irrelevant,
manuals arent banned, are they? The problem is distraction by the
conversation. Not paying attention again.

What *will* happen is more and more attention to speed limits and
lower limits, as it can be automatically enforced and makes a
profit rather than being an expense. As cars get more and more
insulating and easy to drive and speeds get lower and lower
expect even more inattentive drivers, I understand falling
asleep is already a major problem on motorways.

Fatalities will probably drop a bit but not much.
--
Mike Reid
Walk-eat-photos UK "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk"; <-- you can email us@ this site
Walk-eat-photos Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk"; <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
.

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