Thursday, Apr 17, 2014 at 19:39
I haven't got an argument Mick and wasn't looking for one!
Mick didn't mention anything bad about TAC or the roles accident commissions play and yes I do know what they do but I also know they get funding for additional advertising campaigns to change the public perspective on road related issues and not all issues or outcomes are fact or for the right reason..... I would love to think all government departments and close organisations were 100% above board, truthful, trusting and looking out for number 1.... but money talks and so does control.... you don't bite the hand that feeds you!
Not denying the governments of Australia have done a good job of reducing the road toll and yes it has changed peoples driving habits to a degree, but the number of times over the last 5 years I see people who are speeding slow down for fixed speed cameras is astounding and the number of people running red light where the intersection hasn't got a red light camera is also astounding and more are doing it making our roads less safe for law abiding people.
As for the road toll dropping, the government can't take all the praise for it, safer cars play a big part and statistics can be manipulated.
I'm all for officer based speed detection and fine issuing but when they start concentrating on the real problems like unroad worthy car, mobile phones and people not obeying the basic road rules and those who don't have the ability to drive safely instead of taking traffic
police off the road and installing more fixed and mobile non officer based speed detection then I might have a different view.
Here in South Australia I know for a fact the number of real
police officers on the beat can be as low as 4 mixed crew in ta local regional area that spans 130 square kilometers and with only 3 cars patrolling.
I do know speed and red light detection makes money and
police offices cost money.
Don't know about Victoria but here in little old South Australia the state of the roads are deteriorating to a point whereby some roads are dangerous to drive on...... the solution here is lower the speed limit and then carry out speed detection issuing fines for speeding.
If they were serious in stopping accidents and repeat offenders they would issue heavier fines and bring back this thing called driver education...... instead of issuing fines for speeding; why not send the offenders to 6 weeks of schooling carried out on a Saturday and Sunday..... I'm sure that would stop them re offending but that costs money, not generate.
$750,000 for a 6 day marketing campaign telling people about the dangers of driving over
Easter or $750,000 for one on one driver education... know what I would sooner see.
Motorbike learners training here in SA have had a drastic budget cut and funding pulled but the cost and rate of accidents is the highest..... DOT here in SA have had future projects put on hold to concentrate on fixed speed detection installations... all done by one minister and his trusty pen.
And one last thing about their campaigns, no matter what you tell someone or they see on a TV ad they will always think in their heads it is never going to happen to me and nobody goes out in their car thinking I'm going to die today so I better drive slower, go a different way, am I leaving a 5 second gap or stay
home.
I don't see why you are getting so upset as I didn't think I said anything bad.
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