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A story to cheer Helen up
A decent article in The Times for a change
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...018454,00.html In a flash As fast as a camera traps you, you could kill someone The Government has announced an increase in the maximum sentence for causing death by driving dangerously, or while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Road safety campaigners are sceptical that increasing the maximum penalty - from ten to fourteen years' imprisonment - will be a sufficient deterrent. The maximum sentence is rarely imposed; more commonly, judges hand down terms of three to five years for causing death on the roads. Campaigners believe that if a minimum penalty of two or three years' imprisonment were imposed, it would send a clearer message to those who might otherwise not think twice about careering recklessly on the roads. Among motorists generally, speeding is seen, in the same way that drinking and driving once was, as acceptable; it is only getting caught that is socially unacceptable. This is partly out of bravado, and a mis- taken belief that "I can handle it". It is partly because overregulation has created dis- respect for speed limits. To win back respect for the law, the Government should consider raising speed limits where conditions allow it: on empty motorways, for instance, or on straight, quiet roads at night. Modern vehicles and road surfaces are safer as well as faster than those commonly in use when most speed limits were set. As long as speed limits do exist - and even if they are unreasonably low - they should be rigorously enforced. The current debate over the use, and occasional over-use, of speed cameras shows, however, how easily the balance of the law is upset. Ministers have rightly become concerned at plummeting respect for a system which will issue up to three million fines this year. They will now tell police and local authorities to publish the accident history of every speed camera site, before and after installation of the camera. For the key to acceptable enforcement, as to government in general, is accountability. And the facts about the efficacy of cameras speak for themselves. A camera may be installed on a road only if there have been four deaths or serious injuries as a result of speeding in the previous three years, and nearly all adhere to this rule. Publishing the figures will winkle out the ones that do not. According to the Government, cameras cut the number of casualties and serious injuries in their area on average by 35 per cent, although the figures can range from a 67 per cent fall to a 15 per cent rise. Publishing the outcomes will help to convince public opinion where the cameras are effective, and shame police into removing them where they are acting as cash machines, not as deterrents. More importantly, the figures may act as a small step towards changing a culture which refuses to acknowledge how dangerous driving is. Those who champion the "freedom of the road" at all costs cut into the liberties of others, often to the extent of cutting them down completely. There are an unacceptably high number of deaths on the roads: around 3,400 people each year, 2,600 of them motorists, cyclists or passengers rather than pedestrians. The numbers who die in train accidents are tiny by comparison: ten in 2002-03, five the previous year and seventeen the year before that. Yet, as a culture, we react with horror to rail crashes while accepting the far higher number of motoring casualties as a price somehow worth paying. There is an inherent casualness in our driving culture - we are aware of the benefits, but have never properly factored in the responsibility that accompanies the potential danger posed by the automobile. Scare advertisements, fines and tougher sentences will make a contribution to the raising of our consciousness, but, in the end, the individual behind the wheel has the lives of others in his or her hands |
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A story to cheer Helen up
A decent article in The Times for a change
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...018454,00.html Yes, I read it this morning whilst sipping a cup of tea ;-) It is good to see more articles appearing which are challenging the view of some motorists who think that breaking the speed limit is somehow not wrong and not dangerous. I just hope the feeling develops that we all have to be very aware of the potential disasterous nature of driving illegally & in and unsafe manner. Perhaps it would be a positive step if, before being considered for taking of a driving test, said applicant had to use a pedal cycle as main means of transport for...ohh... at least a couple of years or so ;-) Cheers, helen s --This is an invalid email address to avoid spam-- to get correct one remove dependency on fame & fortune h*$el*$$e**nd***$o$ts***i*$*$m**m$$o*n**s@$*$a$$o* *l.c**$*$om$$ |
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A story to cheer Helen up
dirtylitterboxofferingstospammers wrote:
Perhaps it would be a positive step if, before being considered for taking of a driving test, said applicant had to use a pedal cycle as main means of transport for...ohh... at least a couple of years or so ;-) Nooooooooooooh London Taxi drivers. I rest my case Tony |
#4
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A story to cheer Helen up
dirtylitterboxofferingstospammers posted ...
A decent article in The Times for a change http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...018454,00.html Yes, I read it this morning whilst sipping a cup of tea ;-) It is good to see more articles appearing which are challenging the view of some motorists who think that breaking the speed limit is somehow not wrong and not dangerous. I just hope the feeling develops that we all have to be very aware of the potential disasterous nature of driving illegally & in and unsafe manner. Perhaps it would be a positive step if, before being considered for taking of a driving test, said applicant had to use a pedal cycle as main means of transport for...ohh... at least a couple of years or so ;-) It's my belief that a lot of the problem 'nowadays' is the easy way people can acquire vehicles and the lack of them ever having used cycles at all. When I were a lad, 'scuse the pun, there were much fewer families with cars, let alone multiple car ownership. We all, even the poorest kids, had bikes of one form or another, and the roads _were_ much clearer. But, we were specifically taught safe cycling techniques at school, at the Youth Club, at the local Cycling Club, even at Sunday School fercrissakes. Now there is easy access to vehicles and people are being brought up having never gone onto a road in anything other than a car they appear to have no concept of the requirements of the cyclist or of their obligation to sharing road space. As a driver and a cyclist I know there's a balance to be made, but it seems that there are too few drivers who are also, or who used to be, cyclists. I would suggest specific training sessions in _every_ school from Primary school upwards, with the help of local cycling clubs if possible, or regular cyclists, not just from teachers who might cycle occasionally, may be a way of addressing the imbalance, but then, not every child has a cycle these days .. Just a thought .. -- Paul (8(|) Homer rocks .. |
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A story to cheer Helen up
It's my belief that a lot of the problem 'nowadays' is the easy way people
can acquire vehicles and the lack of them ever having used cycles at all. I think you have a valid point. When I were a lad, 'scuse the pun, there were much fewer families with cars, let alone multiple car ownership. We all, even the poorest kids, had bikes of one form or another, and the roads _were_ much clearer. But, we were specifically taught safe cycling techniques at school, at the Youth Club, at the local Cycling Club, even at Sunday School fercrissakes. Now there is easy access to vehicles and people are being brought up having never gone onto a road in anything other than a car they appear to have no concept of the requirements of the cyclist or of their obligation to sharing road space. Eee, lad, when I were a snip of girl it t'were same :-) I can remember getting a prize for getting a really high mark on my cycling proficiency test and being really chuffed about it! I'm sure that cycling a lot when a kid and having done the cycling proficiency test at school (one that took several weeks of after school training followed by the test itself), which included being tested on bike handling skills and a knowledge of the HC, it stood me in good stead when I later learned to drive. As a driver and a cyclist I know there's a balance to be made, but it seems that there are too few drivers who are also, or who used to be, cyclists. Yup - it's one of the reasons I encourge my offspring to cycle to & from school and not view his mother as an always available taxi service. There were real problems with getting any form of cycle training for him in my locality, so his Dad & I used to cycle with him for a long time - we'd be having running commentaries about how to cycle safely, what to be concerned about, following the HC, not cycling on footpaths, making turns safely and the like. Offspring is quite happy to cycle wearing reflectives, using lights etc., etc and is not impressed by stealth cyclists and cyclists of any age where they should know better cycling on footpaths. I've seen cycling give him a sense of independence and growing confidence, with a well-developed "road sense". I think this will be of benefit as and when he learns to drive in a few years' time. Plus, joining a local cycling club, where older, more experienced riders have given him the benefit of their experiences and lots of encouragement has all helped. The end result is I have a kid who had no interest in sports at school, as he's not that good at ball sports, find a sport and exercise he enjoys and is happy to take part in. The time trials may be a solo effort but he cheers on all the riders of his club when at an event, be it as a rider or a spectator. As a mother, I found it hard to not wrap him in cotton wool and allow him to cycle unaccompanied, but I realise the letting go and learning to judge & face risks is all part of growing up. Still worry though - I think that's part of the job description of motherhood ;-) I would suggest specific training sessions in _every_ school from Primary school upwards, with the help of local cycling clubs if possible, or regular cyclists, not just from teachers who might cycle occasionally, may be a way of addressing the imbalance, but then, not every child has a cycle these days .. There are various schemes available, but national coverage seems to be patchy in terms of what's available and quality. Cheers, helen s --This is an invalid email address to avoid spam-- to get correct one remove dependency on fame & fortune h*$el*$$e**nd***$o$ts***i*$*$m**m$$o*n**s@$*$a$$o* *l.c**$*$om$$ |
#6
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A story to cheer Helen up
In article ,
"Paul - xxx" writes: When I were a lad, 'scuse the pun, there were much fewer families with cars, let alone multiple car ownership. We all, even the poorest kids, had bikes Bah, you lucky swine ... I wanted one, but didn't get it until I spent time in Sweden c/o my uncle and aunt who were richer than the parents. "Even the poorest kids" suggests to me a well-to-do social circle. of one form or another, and the roads _were_ much clearer. But, we were specifically taught safe cycling techniques at school, I was aware of cycling proficiency at school, but by the time I had a bike that was all for younger kids. at the Youth Club, at the local Cycling Club, even at Sunday School fercrissakes. Heh! Luxuries of the rich ... Now there is easy access to vehicles and people are being brought up having never gone onto a road in anything other than a car they appear to have no concept of the requirements of the cyclist or of their obligation to sharing road space. I think it's simpler than that. Thoughtlessness, and frustration. As a driver and a cyclist I know there's a balance to be made, but it seems that there are too few drivers who are also, or who used to be, cyclists. A requirement of the driving license should be a certain number of hours on two wheels per year. -- Nick Kew |
#7
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A story to cheer Helen up
Tony Raven wrote:
A decent article in The Times for a change http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...018454,00.html In a flash As fast as a camera traps you, you could kill someone for speed limits. To win back respect for the law, the Government should consider raising speed limits where conditions allow it: on empty motorways, for instance, or on straight, quiet roads at night. Modern vehicles and road surfaces are safer as well as faster than those commonly in use when most speed limits were set. No no no. There are quiet, straight roads around here - but they still contain cyclists (even at night) - including Helen and me A limit of 60mph is already too high for many of these roads. -- Chris |
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A story to cheer Helen up
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#9
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A story to cheer Helen up
Tony Raven wrote:
A decent article in The Times for a change http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...018454,00.html In a flash As fast as a camera traps you, you could kill someone The Government has announced an increase in the maximum sentence for causing death by driving dangerously, or while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Road safety campaigners are sceptical that increasing the maximum penalty - from ten to fourteen years' imprisonment - will be a sufficient deterrent. The maximum sentence is rarely imposed; more commonly, judges hand down terms of three to five years for causing death on the roads. As good as far as it goes but unless the judiciary increase sentences then nothing will change and it will be just _another_ example of this government's empty rhetoric. As the article later suggests perhaps minimum sentences should be introduced. John B |
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A story to cheer Helen up
No no no. There are quiet, straight roads around here - but they still
contain cyclists (even at night) - including Helen and me A limit of 60mph is already too high for many of these roads. -- Chris Indeed Chris. The road between Shipdham & Swaffham has many straight bits, but as they are country roads, they can be "interesting" to cycle on... it reminds me of one morning when I got up really early and was cycling the lanes hereabouts and was confronted by some idiot who was using the "quiet roads" as his own private rally stage, presumably because one doesn't expect to see a cyclist on them that early in the morning... He woke up with an expression of "Oh sh*t!" when he saw me.. I've been out in the car this morning round some of these straight roads which already have a 60mph limit on them. Due to the snow, the roads are passable with relative ease as long as a bit care is displayed - as what already narrow roads are effectively narrowed due to build up of snow at the sides and in the centre. The number of motorists who were clearly going at around the speed limit on what were now even narrower roads was appalling. B*gger the fact that the conditions made it dangerous to be driving at that speed as they were effectively taking up more than half the available width of the road and the slippy, wet conditions would have a negative effect on the braking distances of their vehicles... Cheers, helen s --This is an invalid email address to avoid spam-- to get correct one remove dependency on fame & fortune h*$el*$$e**nd***$o$ts***i*$*$m**m$$o*n**s@$*$a$$o* *l.c**$*$om$$ |
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