Simon Brooke wrote:
> in message <[email protected]>, Garry
> from Cork ('[email protected]') wrote:
>
>> It does none of us any good to dwell on such cases.
>
> Look, I disagree.
So do I.
> We live in a culture which accepts a degree of carnage on our roads which
> we simply would not accept from any other cause.
Not quite true. There is another source of a substantially greater
number of injuries, and of a similar death toll. That other source is
hardly ever seen in the press, even though substantial numbers of those
affected are children and the elderly. That other source? "The home".
There are about 3 million "home accidents" each year resulting in
hospital visits, 1 million of those are children under 15. Of the ~3000
deaths, about half of them are over 65 years old.
Ah, you might say, they all mostly self-inflicted, "falling down the
stairs while drunk", "mowing through the power lead" and the like. But
no. One of the main causes is "careless action by another person".[1]
[snipped war comparisons]
> Despite this, we're all - I include myself - very casual about the way we
> drive.
Absolutely. An attitude instilled in us by state nannying and
intervention. We expect to be "safe" in our cars. We expect cars to be
strong, and seatbelts and airbags to be effective. We expect
right-of-way to be given to us by pedestrians, as they will have been
taught this from an early age. We expect others to obey road signs,
signal, and markings. If others' lights are red, we don't expect to
have to check that the way is clear. As pedestrians we /will/ proceed
across a zebra crossing, even if it means getting killed, as we do have
legal priority.
> Drivers routinely exceed speed limits,
Mostly where its safety is acknowledged by the absence of speed cameras,
which are only used in spots where speeding is dangerous. We can drive
up to the speed limt+10%+2 as we are told that most accidents are not
caused by those who obey the speed limit.
> talk on their mobile phones, hold conversations,
> drink and eat while at the wheel.
We can talk safely on our legally sanctioned hands-free phone, the rest
must also be safe as they are not specifically banned either.
> People drive when
> suffering from illnesses (like the common cold) which affect speed and
> distance perception. People drive when they've drunk alcohol. People drive
> when they're tired.
There are no specific laws prohibiting those things - what do you expect.
> Many people rarely inspect their vehicles for wear or
> damage - bald tyres and failed light bulbs are common sights.
That's what we pay to have the MOT done for. The cars on our roads are
all mechanically sound as they undergo a mandatory test every single year.
> We need to change culture, and it's only the shocking incidents like this
> one which will motivate us to change.
We are comforted by the safe and clinical presentation of our roads,
with their clear kerbs and white markings, they look beautiful, like
racetracks. We expect every hazard to be clearly signed and pointed out
to us. We expect diesel spills to be sanded, ice to gritted and debris
to be absent, and animals and children to be correctly contained. Other
drivers have passed their test, and those who break the rules are
banned, so we needn't worry about them. Even if we are involved in an
"accident" we will be OK, because insurance is compulsory, and they'll
pick up the bills.
> We need to say clearly - to
> ourselves, the people around us and our politicians - that this death toll
> is not acceptable, that we need to change our culture.
Politicians are not in a position to do it properly though. They are
reactive to public outcries, if they think their vote might be affected,
and they may feel the need to pacify baying mobs, before the press makes
it awkward. Well considered and researched solutions will not be looked
at though, they want "solutions" which will pander to the most
vigorously expressed prejudices and preconceptions.
> Cultural change is
> not impossible, but it needs to start somewhere - and it is shocking
> incidents, like this one, which can provide the seed around which change
> can form.
The most we can expect are new signs for roads prone to icing, or new
speed limits, the banning cycle club outings in frost could be
contemplated and road gritting regulations could be examined.
[1]
http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file21802.pdf
--
Matt B
