Mostly we talk here about practical subjects and pretty much by definition people who are interested enough to participate take their driving fairly seriously .
But if you look at some of the threads that repeatedly crop up under one name or another , what we are frequently talking about is morality in driving.
What I mean by that is, that driving is probably the most responsible act most of us perform each day in terms of its consequences for others. For a few , or for some, many, hours we directly risk the safety of others in what we do .It deserves to be treated seriously and thought about at least as much as what we do to earn a living .
But in fact for many people it is one of the least thought about actions in their day .They regard the time spent in driving as wasted and have no regard for their responsibilities towards others .I could give a dozen examples of what I have observed in a few hours on the road today.
If our airlines produced the loss of life ,livelihood and happiness that our roads do there would be a major outcry .But for some reason we just accept what happens on the roads .
I don\'t know how we change this but I think we should
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Assuming that motoring behaviour needs changing, let's look at how you change that behaviour.
1. The carrot. You encourage motorists to do the right thing by rewarding their behaviour with a gift or other concession. There is, to my knowlege, no mechanism of rewarding law-abiding motorists to behave correctly. The only thing that keeps motorists driving any where near the manner in which they are supposed to (defined in some part by the Highway Code), is pride in their accomplishment and a desire to preserve their lives and vehicles.
2. The stick. You threaten motorists with penalties for incorrect behaviour. Right, but first you've got to catch the offenders. Police chappies are way too expensive and although you may get longer lasting behaviour changes from a ticking-off from a copper, not only is it cheaper, but actually feeds money into the system, if you can automatically penalise just one part of bad behaviour. I refer to the speed camera.
Let's come back to pride in motorists accomplishments. It's a dying phenomenon. Why? Because vehicles and test passes are far too easy to come by. I don't know of anyone who hasn't been able to pass their car, bike, HGV or PCV test through lack of ability. Sure, it might take a few attempts but do you know anyone who has actually given up because they failed? And virtually anyone with a bank account can get mobile one way or another. Cars are piled high waiting for the next punter to come along and take adavantage of their offers. If you don't mind being stung for a heavy interest rate, anyone can drive off in an overpriced 2-year-old Mondeo or Vectra.
As soon as you make motoring more available to the masses, 2 things happen. First, the chancellor rubs his hands in glee because of all the VED and fuel tax that flow into government. Second, motoring, which used to be an elitist passtime, becomes devalued to the point where folk who have no interest in driving/riding properly vastly outnumber those who do take a pride in what they are doing. I believe we are well past that point and heading downhill fast.
From where I'm sitting, the future of motoring looks bleak. And I suppose these are the good old days.
Hawkeye
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Stranger in a strange land
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I think a big part of the problem is that so many people who drive have no interest in Motoring.
People tend not to be very good at things they have absolutely no interest in. I have no interest in Football - I thus cannot play it to save my life.
On the road, this can be a problem. To a huge number of people, a car is a white good. It's no more special than their dishwasher. They drive so they can get from A to B, and their interest in driving stops there. These people do not tend to make good drivers. They pass their test, and thats it. They have no interest in cars, they have no interetsing in learning more about driving, they have no interest in improving teqnique - they want to get from A, to B. End of.
These people explain why cars like the Vauxhall Corsa (urghh) often top the UK sales charts. It goes from A to B, the salesman had a nice smile, and the price was right.
If Motoring is a hobby to you, something you enjoy, then I beleive you are a better driver. You are interested in what is going on around you, so you pay more attention, you think further in advance, etc etc.
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Greenhay/Hawkeye/Michael,
I read Greenheys' post just after reading - on another website -a driver asking what he could expect after his 4th drunk driving conviction in 12 years....I thought to reply, but do not know how to spell, cirhossis(?).
I am not 'Angry - Shepton Mallett' - just an Observer with the IAM - with a lifetime interest in driving...it is disappointing though, that increasingly, the posts I read on Motoring websites are from drivers asking more 'how can I get away with this' questions,rather than 'how can I become a better driver' questions.
One of my pleasures in the IAM is with drivers, from 17 to over 70s, is the moment when the smile comes on thier faces when they get the speed, the gear, and the balance of thier cars right and feel it FLOWING through the bendy roads like a boat through water - they (and I) feel it through our pink fluffy dices.
Come and join us?
Matt35.
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> Come and join us?
I already have - almost finished my observed drives. Observer said it was unusual for someone of my age (19) to be taking the IAM course, which I thought was quite a shame. £85 on a Skills for Life Pack is a far more worthwhile investment than £85 on some neon lights for the underside of a car..
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Michael,
At 19 years of age I hope it cost you only £75?
Matt35.
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> Come and join us?
Already have, been trying to apply IAM standards since 1981. Now saving up (yes, really) to join a nearby bike group.
Hawkeye
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Stranger in a strange land
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It is a sad fact, but many people have a change of personality when they get behind the wheel.
The most considerate and unassuming fellow can become aggressive and impatient as soon as he hits the road.
Perhaps there should be a psychological assessment as part of the driving test.
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Interesting comment Doc. I have noticed that many of the people who take a moral high ground on driving matters also seem to have aggressive tendancies. It is obvious from the posts that they do not see it this way but it comes through to me very clearly. Perhaps I am a carvoyant? The same people tend not to have much of a sense of humour.
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People won't necessarily see it as aggression, but as assertiveness. There is a lot of banging on about peoples' "rights", alongside a decline in any concern for fellow citizens, and a disrespect for authority. You see this all over the place. I know it's a generalisation, and there are no doubt many fine community minded people around.
It starts at an early age IMHO. Kids these days are not brought up with the same respect for others, parents do little to stop their their parents don't stop them running screaming round supermarkets, in fact their parents sometimes postively encourage bad behaviour. Parents also do little to "set an example" these days, and often do quite the opposite.
I'm sounding like an old grump, I'm not that old nor am I grumpy. But I'm starting to agree with my elders who say a few years national service, or a clip round the ear, or whatever would do no harm at all.
If people respected one another more (and no, respect does NOT necessarily have to be earnt) then much of the anti-social behaviour on and off the road simply would not happen.
And I know the above is full of generalisations...
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Smokie,
I think that jeds post was probably directed at what he perceives to be 'Old Cardigans' like me.
I think I have posted as many jokes (and have been reprimanded by our Wonderful Moderators) as most on this BB - I have a sense of humour, and understand and accept that I DO go on a bit about the IAM and about trying to make driving more relaxing and safer.
But, if my boring comments on this website might save one accident...good enough for me!
Matt35.
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Smokieand others,
As a PS - I am up for retest in two months with RoSPA - here is the standard expected;
At present there are about 200 examiners covering all parts of the UK and a test can be taken anywhere in the country at the candidate's choice. All examiners have a minimum qualification of an advanced police certificate and most are also police driving instructors. The majority of examiners are serving police officers, usually on traffic patrols.
The oversight of the test system is the responsibility of the Regional Senior Examiners, one of whom is responsible for each area of the UK in much the same way as are the GAP members. Within his/her area the RSE is responsible for the oversight of individual examiners, ensuring that standards are maintained and are consistent with RoADA standards and that tests are carried out as promptly and professionally as possible. They also deal with any problems arising locally with tests or queries from members or GAP members. The test itself lasts about sixty to seventy minutes over a route covering a wide variety of traffic and driving conditions, and is designed to detect any weaknesses or potentially dangerous driving habits. It may be taken in cars, commercial vehicles or on motor cycles. The successful candidate must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the Highway Code and Roadcraft - the Essential Police Driver's Handbook, both in the driving and in the question and answer session at the end of the drive. On completing the test the candidate is graded Gold, Silver or Bronze. If the standard is lower than that needed for a Bronze the candidate will fail. All candidates receive from HQ a comprehensive report on all aspects of their test.
As the standard is far higher than that taken by learner drivers, a person is unlikely to achieve the higher grades without assistance. These tough standards ensure that the person who gains a Gold award has succeeded in gaining the highest award open to a civilian driver in the UK, and probably in the world. One of the strengths of the RoADA is its requirement that all members must take a retest every three years. This is unique in civilian driving. If the retest is not taken, the person ceases to be a member. These regular retests are free of charge.
© 1996-2002 John Skilleter & Keith Bamford
Matt35.
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