RE: Poor Kids are Dying
Monday 28th October 2002
Poor Kids are Dying
Here's the money - what are you going to do with it?
Discussion
How about persuading the kids to go play somewhere other than the road. The kids round where I am ignore the massive open space of the local park (less than 100yds away) in favour of playing footy in the street (or worse still kerbie). The problem is that there is a lot of traffic coming through the estate. I've lost count of the number of emergency stops I've pulled while rolling (10-15mph) through the estate. I'm beginning to think that maybe it is better to hit them (gently - wouldn't want to knock their single remaining collective braincell out of their heads) so they remember that it is a REALLY stupid place to play!
jimbro1000 said: How about persuading the kids to go play somewhere other than the road.
Yep, agree with that. The local estate is a quiet cul-de-sac, and all the kids play on the green in the middle and on the surrounding road. No problems with that, except the odd thing is that if a car comes along, the kids literally won't get out of the way. They see the car coming, and carry on with whatever they're doing until the car is more or less on top of them. Then they shuffle to the edge of the road (note: not onto the pavement or the green!) and you have to squeeze past them.
Okay, so the little ones don't know any better (but should they be playing unsupervised on the road in that case? Another issue), but how about the older kids and teenagers? Do they really have absolutely no road sense whatsoever? And this is on a quiet cul-de-sac - the school is on the busy main road. Scary.
So much for Education, Mr Blair.
Barriers and education are one thing, but remember, this government puts cyclists above the law, and motorists are guilty until proven more guilty. As both a motorist and a cyclist who respects the so-called 'rules of the road' no matter how I'm travelling, I find the whole thing a totally patronising invasion of civil liberties, a waste of money, and a policy blind-alley. Unfortunately phony Tony and the anti-car fascists have all their policies worked out, so come general election time, they'll be ultra-popular again. Also, there's no-one else for motorists to vote for. I suggest lobbying the government to appoint a 'minister for motoring'- totally unconnected to the environment agency and the numpty brigade -to check out all policies to make sure motorists (that's 85% of us by the way, Tony) get a decent deal.
What the report doesn't say is who is killing the poor kids - I would bet that in nearly every case its another poor kid - one with nothing to do except follow the example of their lawless peers - Exactly the sort of person that doesn't worry about a speed camera's or points or fines. Educate the parents so they can educate their kids - and hold the parents responsible.
The problem is that housing areas which cater for lower socio-econic groups because of the 'class' and type of people that live in those areas (in general), are full of people that do not care about the environment they live in and do not care about the offspring they produce ( unless a social worker or Police oficer happens to remove one which is deemed to be at risk).
They are happy for young children to wander the streets aimlessly without direction or supervision. They are also not bothered about educating their children at all unless they happen to be expelled for unacceptable behaviour from the local school.
Those children that come from better off families that do care about what they are doing, where they are and have a vested interest in the health safety and general well being of their children, make sure they do not wander aimlessly into environments where they are likely to be harmed (generally)
These may be sweeping generalisations but, from my observations as a Police Officer, they are what I see when I am at work.
Areas of low socio-economic groups are the most demanding from public services and the least concerened about their own responsibilities to others.
Is it any surprise then, to find those undisciplined, uneducated, uncared for children, either as casualties on the roads, or casualties of Police station custody areas or social service care centres?
The couples that brought them into the world as a by-product of their moment of pleasure do not have any interest in the further well being of these children unless by some way or some how, it can advantage the parents.
They are happy for young children to wander the streets aimlessly without direction or supervision. They are also not bothered about educating their children at all unless they happen to be expelled for unacceptable behaviour from the local school.
Those children that come from better off families that do care about what they are doing, where they are and have a vested interest in the health safety and general well being of their children, make sure they do not wander aimlessly into environments where they are likely to be harmed (generally)
These may be sweeping generalisations but, from my observations as a Police Officer, they are what I see when I am at work.
Areas of low socio-economic groups are the most demanding from public services and the least concerened about their own responsibilities to others.
Is it any surprise then, to find those undisciplined, uneducated, uncared for children, either as casualties on the roads, or casualties of Police station custody areas or social service care centres?
The couples that brought them into the world as a by-product of their moment of pleasure do not have any interest in the further well being of these children unless by some way or some how, it can advantage the parents.
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