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Zero Tolerance Towards Selfish Car Drivers

By Geoff Cummings

According to figures recently released, around 28 percent of U.S. traffic crashes are caused by drivers using devices such as cell phones, a safety group claims. That translates to a huge figure of roughly 1.6 million crashes a year in the US alone. Families have been devastated because someone lost concentration for maybe just a split second.

Too many drivers are either talking on the phone, or perhaps worse still - texting! If the safety groups get their way all cell phone use will be banned whilst driving. It`s up to the US Congress and individual states to make the final decision.

But, the problem goes way beyond North America. The use of mobile phones in the UK has been illegal for a few years over here. Fixed penalties can be given by the police if they catch anyone using one as a hand-held device. And, although campaigns have been running in an attempt to make the public aware of the dangers of talking on the phone whilst driving, the problem persists.

And now, in an attempt to reduce the number of deaths on their roads, the police in Dorset have adopted a zero tolerance policy towards motorists who commit offences like speeding, using mobile phones, and not wearing seatbelts. It`s being called the `No Excuses` campaign and the hope is it will result in fewer deaths and serious injuries on the county`s roads. The police plan to focus much of their attention on accident blackspots like the A35 and A31.

Offenders will in most instances be given the option of paying a fine, and getting hit by 3 points on their driving licence, or paying £60 and taking part in a driver safety course. The idea is that some drivers can be re-educated by taking part in this type of course.

I know that many motorists will just view it as a way for the police to raise money by fining drivers, claiming motorists make easy targets. Some will say the police should spend their time and resources on catching `real` criminals. But, the fact remains that too many people are dying on Britain`s roads through the stupidity of selfish drivers. Too many motorists view it as a right to use their hand held mobile phones for speaking with others, or to use them for texting while driving. They think it`s perfectly alright to read a map while driving, or even as one person was caught doing, using a laptop computer on his lap while driving.

If it cuts down on untimely deaths and serious road accidents then I`m all for police clampdowns of this kind.

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Unfortunately you have dealt only with one of the symptoms of selfishness in car drivers. What about double parking, parking on the pavement, driving rapidly through puddles in the town and splashing pedestrians, failing to dip head-lights at night when approaching pedestrians on an unlit road, refusing to allow pedestrians to cross the road, failing to observe pedestrian crossings, using their horn instead of a door bell . . . the list is endless!
It is very unfortunate that a motor car has an unwelcome effect upon many, otherwise, careful and caring people.

Yes, you`re right. I wanted to keep the focus on what the police are clamping down hard on in their campaign in the Dorset area. Also, how the police are using zero tolerance with motorists who are being distracted by gadgets within their cars. An attempt to cover all the driving misdemeanors we see on our roads would I fear result in an article way too lengthy to keep most readers interested. Personally I think there`s an easy solution to cutting deaths and injuries on the roads - raise the age limit. 17-21 is the most dangerous age group. In the US in some states they can drive at an even earlier age. Crazy! I`d raise it to 18 or 19.

In the near future applications like Skype and Wifi on mobile devices will become more popular reducing the need for instant voice communication. Plus these applications for the most part are lower cost or free, eliminating the gouging rates of wireless phone providers.

Devices like the iTouch by Apple support Skype and Wifi, saving consumers over $100 per month in cellular subscriptions. Android phones can also do Wifi and Skype.

I use my Skype account on a memory stick (cost $15 one time) as a mobile phone on my laptop or any personal computer for $3.00 per month subscription for unlimited calls in the USA and Canada.

This Skype method gives me complete voice, chat, and texting capabilities capabilities anywhere in the world for pennies on the dollar. In order for this to work well for me and save me thousands of dollars, I had to change my calling habits to eliminate instant voice communications through a cellular network. It has really made a difference as well in my time management for I get less interruptions during the day keeping my focus on my business laser sharp.

And for the most part it is safer, for their is no need for being on a cell phone in an automobile while driving.

But most of the time, I am not driving anyway. Another habit I changed 3 years ago, to use public transportation whenever I can. It has worked out very well since I work for myself and my time is my own. I have saved thousands of dollars changing this habit. If I need to go out of town, I fly, it is cheaper when you consider the value of time, and safer as well.

Thanks Bruce. "Another habit I changed 3 years ago, to use public transportation whenever I can." This is something successive governments have tried to get people to do here. Problem is the poor public transport services, along with the relatively high costs. Apparently our train fares are something like 20% higher than they are in France, for example. And, there are a lot of complaints about passengers having to stand on trains for even long journeys.

I am completely in agreement with you about the cell phones. Vancouver is in the process of banning cell phones while driving, and I say, thank God for it. Safety education is a good thing, but it only influences certain people. As for others, well, there is no way of teaching wisdom and common sense. Good intel.

I agree, June. Even `hands free` use often means a lack of concentration, and I can see the time coming here when that will also be made illegal too.

Zero tolerance is the only way to go and also manditory fines and loss of phone until the fine is paid.
I've actually seen a Police Officer driving a Cruiser talking on a cell phone. This guy should get a month off without pay.
Thanks for the great intel, Geoff.
Frederick

Thanks Frederick, glad you liked it.

I once was almost run over off the freeway by a semi driver and his 18 wheeler, because he was talking on a cell phone at 75 mph! I was astounded!
The idea of people texting while driving is sheer idiocy and dangerous, to boot. Governments abdicate their power when they ignore such antics from drivers...as the fatality rates mount up senslessly.

There have been cases on some of our motorways where truck drivers have been looking at their mobile phones and not seen the traffic ahead at a standstill. Result? They crash into the vehicles in front, and there have been tragic consequences because of their lack of concentration for that brief second or two.

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