Critical self-analysis

[MC Bodge]

Thirsty33 said:

It's actually not that hard to change the message "Speed Kills" to "Inattention Kills", with appropriate add campaigns. Inattention is responsible for 2/3 to 3/4 of all road deaths according to government stats. It's the real killer. (And it can include inattention to speed, whether over the limit or not)

And that was the message given by a Traffic Policeman who recently visited my workplace.

[JontyR]

Thirsty33 said:

That is the nub of it - although the "speeding thing" is used to capture the inattentive and hope they will attend the driver training days. Two friends recently have completed one of these and both have reported learning some really positive things. For one his wife reports that his driving has improved markedly.

Ideally, such courses would be compulsory every 10 years, but in reality that would create a monster that could not be administered. At least now people choose to go on these courses, in a way! Perhaps apply 3 points to a licence every 10 years unless you attend a course. On the assumption that everyone speeds every day, just that most don't get caught. OK, dream on...................

It's actually not that hard to change the message "Speed Kills" to "Inattention Kills", with appropriate add campaigns. Inattention is responsible for 2/3 to 3/4 of all road deaths according to government stats. It's the real killer. (And it can include inattention to speed, whether over the limit or not)

An interesting read this thread. Something that is very dear to my heart, and hopefully I could claim to be a good driver.

I am one who also hates, with a passion, the notion that speed kills...to me it is inappropriate speed that kills, and the sooner the campaigns drummed that message home the sooner people would probably take the adverts more seriously. This doesn't go to say that I advocate doing 80mph down an A road, but it is as simple as 80mph, although illegal, on a motorway at 5am in the middle of summer when it is nice and warm is far safer than 50mph in the middle of winter when it is freezing fog. The latter wouldn't result in a fine, but the former could.

I do think there is mileage in courses. Having attended the speed awareness course and had a refresher of the highway code it would make sense to make this compulsory. My mum, although not being stopped for speeding, hasn't read a copy of the highway code for what must be going on 50 years. I believe a few signs have changed in that time, and yet she is still happy and legally able to drive.

My opinion on driving is that it should be seen as a privilege and not a right to drive. Having a test every 5 years would generate a vast amount of income for the UK, and the upside would be that drivers would/should be safer. This could bring down insurance costs saving you money in the long term.

As for the self critical side of driving, I am the same. Especially 1st to 2nd gear changes. I love the science both the physical/mechanical and the psychological side of driving.

It is amazing how many people would favour more power than talent? It is far better to spend £400 on a good session with an instructor than getting the exhaust done.

with regards to the explaining to people their faults...I found the best way to break down the self defence barriers was to film their actions. So on the motorbike training I would sit behind them and film. It instantly gave you the opportunity to say...look, this is where you went wrong, rather than having to pussy foot around so as to not hurt their feelings.