Posted By Phil Errup
Mike, interesting post, more barking mad though than cat amongst the pigeons in my humble opinion.

But, as you posed the ideas, here's my thoughts on them...

Retest every 5 years, we'd all become examiners.
How many people would face the situation where they fail their test, for whatever reason, and they drive for a living. No license, no job. Employee suffers, firms will suffer.

It's the minority of 17+ year olds, not the majority, so why peanalise them all?
Aside for the fact that some 17 year olds can earn a living and play an active role in society because they can drive.

Limit engine size to 1000cc, why? Thats still going to be fast enough to kill someone or plough head first into a tree.

Drink drive ban - agree

The last point, every medium - large business will have to fund it's own traffic division.

Nope sorry, not sure I agree with what you are saying.

I work for an operation that has a call centre as part of it's set up. Up to 300 employees at any one time. Your ideas would close us and most business that I can think of.

Regards,

Phil

Posted By Mike Miller
Guys

I never thought it would be popular but definately effective.

Minority of uninsured drivers out there but everyone is penalised by insurance companies with raised premiums.

Hasn't the minority always changed legislation to the majorities expense? The problem with this country is that everyone just moans about stuff and we are as a nation too soft.

As for the re-tests the driver should pay! If they fail they can have a resit. An amnesty could be set up for those with driving responsibilities until they reach the standard which should not be too difficult if you have been driving for 5 years or more? If you are having difficulties then this will raise the question of whether you should be driving. After all the concept is to remove bad driving and improve road safety!

If a plant or crane operator failed a test would you allow him to operate on site? NO! yet he needs to earn his living! Whats the difference. When you get a license there were no guarantees that it was for life!

Any company (SME's) should be responsible and make checks on there drivers if they are to defend themselves from prosecutuion caused by bad company drivers. A company I worked for made it policy to produce to HR all documentation every three months (about the time it takes for an offence to come to court)

This surely is not too burdonsome?

Barking No! Honest Yes! We should tackle the problem not just treat the symptoms.

This governments answer to everything today is tax it some more, double the fee or put another camera up!

Posted By anon1234
Well Mike, in response to your comment "The problem with this country is that everyone just moans about stuff and we are as a nation too soft." Perhaps we should just lock people up and through away the key if they ever break the law whilst driving, have any minor accident, etc,. Now that should have apositive effect :)

It must be Friday if we're going to have this debate

Posted By Mike Miller
Thanks for the comments!

Why must it be Friday to have a debate? Any day is ok! Surely!

Getting the populous to the polls on general election is difficult but the government manage it.

As for making current testing harder, Agree in principle! but that will do nothing to weed out those with a current license who are dangerous and it will do nothing to maintain the standard of driving after after getting one!


Once gained one can drive like a nutter 'nothing new there then'! Stiffer penalties are one way to go.

Public transport, well! No I have not used it in 30 years because it was poor then and it dangerous now at certain times of the day or night. However I only suggested that those who do not maintain the standard of driving and have their license suspended could have the experience of using it which should make them realise the benefit of maintaining their driving skills. Rememeber you never miss the water until the well dries up!

Lock everyone up and throw away the key! Well not exactly but if you were honest you would agree that this would be a good idea for some individuals we all know somewhere. A bit of a throw away comment really,

Think smaller!

Posted By Martin CMIOSH
Mike, I think you make some good points, which would undoubtedly make a big difference to RTAs. The practicality concerns remind me of pre COSHH days when the arguments about 'assessing every (hazardous) chemical on site' met a similar response. It all depends how society judges risk tolerance.

There is clearly an issue of people who passed their test 10 - 20 - 30 - 40 (or more) years ago when cars were different, roads were different and the regulations were different. So periodic retests make sense. Let's start with 10 years to limit workload. As a society we can manage to resource periodic cancer sceening so we should be able to resource this.

Young drivers - or more correctly - recently qualified drivers are a higher risk group and should have probationary periods. Limits on engine size (along the lines of bike tests) would probably help.

I'm generally not in favour of automatic bans for motoring offenses. Each case must be treated on its own merits, but there does need to be consequences especially for reckless or habitual inattention.

I think there is too much attention paid to speed and not enough on poor & aggressive driving styles, which I believe are the root cause for accidents - the speed is only a factor to the severity of the incident.

There is also a growing number of vehicles (both cars & lorries) that are registered abroad, have no MOT and their drivers are not trained in driving on UK roads. Being left hand drive also adds to the risk. How can you regulate this?

The Highway Agency/ Local Authorities also need to take greater responsibility for making roads safer. Where there are known accident black spots there must be engineering improvements to reduce the risk, even if this means preventing right turns from dangerous junctions etc. We put so much effort into railway safety but far less into road safety.

Companies need to take responsibility for employees driving on company business in the same way that they take responsibility for employees operating machinery or carrying out operations. It doesn't need to be over the top but sensible risk management.

Posted By justgossip
28 million drivers in britain and nearly all of them drive with no intention of causing injury or damage.
Britain one of the safest countries to drive in.
Britain, heavy prosecution of driving offences whilst not a problem with other crimes.
Chance of Death and injury on the road is very low.
Amount of money spent on road safety, millions upon millions.

Could this money spent on other priorities achieve a much greater reduction in the loss of life,Yes and yes.

Road deaths, just one of lifes acceptable risks.

Garry

Posted By anon1234
Lisa,

there is nothing to stop you expressing your concerns on the airhead to the local police.

And when they say there is nothing they can do, you could suggest that they speak to her and say that she has regularly been seen using her mobile phone whilst driving and point out it is against the law - at least her card will have been marked