In my job I get to see a number of what can only be described as idiot drivers. Sound a bit harsh – unfortunately in some cases I am being kind.
The amount of people who still think it is their right to drive as fast as they think is safe continues to amaze me. Why obey the speed limit if it is a straight stretch of road and there are no other cars around?. The problem with that arrogance is that when a hazard does present itself out of nowhere the speeding driver has dramatically reduced the chance of avoiding it.
Sure, there are always a number of factors at play in a crash and speed is but one of them. Howver, the laws of physics are still the same. The faster you are going, the longer you take to stop and the harder you are going to hit something. Slow down – you are not the best driver on the road, and even if you were what about the guy coming towards you who is about to make a mistake? Remember Possum Bourne. One of the best drivers in New Zealand and he died in a crash.
Drink drivers continue to defy all efforts to get the message home. For a while it was mainly the generation that grew up doing it, have always done it, and will always do it. What worries me now is the new generation of drink drivers.
We have been focussing on the drink driving laws for many years. Why then are teenagers increasingly flouting the law? Could it be a natural progression from all consequences being slowly phased out for kids these days. I think that kids are just not scared about what would happen if the Police stopped them after they had been drinking. they don’t fear the consequences. So long as that is the case we will not solve this problem.
It’s a tricky one, but all parties need to address it. If your teenager comes home and you find out they have been drinking alcohol before they drove, don’t be relieved the Police didn’t catch them, punish them! Make them park the car up, take away their privileges, anything that shows them it is unacceptable. You won’t be popular, but, hey, that’s what being a parent is all about.
Having just talked about young people, I also want to point out that the older generation seem to be crashing at a fairly high rate as well. There can be many reasons but it is clear that some, and I emphasise some, carry on driving just a little too long.
Reactions slow down, decision making slows down and mistakes are made. Sometimes there is a complete unawareness of other road users – the classic little old lady driving at 70kmh on the highway to make sure she is safe. While 10 cars are lined up behind her.
Families need to take a vested interst in how their older members are coping and, if necessary make the hard call to take the keys and car away from them.
Finally, wear your seatbelts!! How easy is it to do? Why is it such a big deal for some people? it is bloody common sense to secure yourself into a car in case you have an accident.
Yes, you won’t hurt anybody else by not wearing it. But all you idiots who think that it doesn’t affect anybody else don’t think about what will happen after a crash. Most likely you end up with horrific injuries that requires ongoing treatment and care – who is going to do that? Who is going to pay for it? And if you die, what about those that are left behind? Don’t you think they would prefer you were still around? It is completely selfish to take that stance and some need to just get over it.
That is my whinge for the day, but it’s Christmas time and who want’s to have to deal with the aftermath of a crash at this time of the year? Not me , that’s for sure…