December 2005   Are there any real answers to stopping the carnage on our roads? Some of our readers have taken up the challenge to debate possible ways and means to make our roads become a much safer place for everybody. We are aware that the festive (silly) season is here, and that usually means that far too many people drink and drive, frequently resulting in unnecessary injuries or even death. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Warren (17-5-09) Here in Qld. it seems to be getting worse instead of better. Many multi fatalities are pushing the road toll up above last year's level. In my opinion, there are only two ways that we could change the trend. Firstly, anyone under the age of 25 MUST have a speed-governor installed. Secondly, make it compulsory that all new license applicants must undergo at least 20 hrs of learning with a qualified instructor (not mum or dad) before sitting for a strict test. Similar to a pilot license. Come on you politicians, the ball is in your court! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ron and Jan (11-5-09) I believe that the best way to minimize the road trauma is to start early, for example, all High School's should have a " Driver's Safety Course " starting from year one till the end, and ideally with a government grant, an area where students can practice safe driving with donated car's in reasonable condition to experience actual different driving conditions. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tony T.   (16-9-08) It has been demonstrated, and it appears so logical that we would see a huge reduction in road accidents if the 'Powers That Be' would implement Passing Lanes every ten to twenty kilometers or so on our highways. Would not the financial cost ultimately see positive results? What do other Silverpeers think? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rosemary (11-9-08) It is inevitable that while people travel in fast vehicles, death and injury will occur, because on the roads we have a mix of professional and amateur (for the want of a better word) drivers. Quite frankly I don't see why we do have to have the main items of our nightly news devoted to road accidents. And it is not as though I don't know the experience, having lost 2 sons in 2 accidents 25 & 30 years ago. ............  don't talk to the media and turn the radio and TV off until they stop talking about it. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Len (18-6-08) Police are busy catching people who are going 70 in a 60 km zone and what about the hoons at 1 o'clock in the morning? Just look at the tyre marks on the roads the next morning!................Len --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunshine (13-6-07) 1. Speed is the biggest problem, drunk or sober if they are unable to handle a car at speed they are an accident looking for somewhere to happen.  Time was when a governor could be fitted to prevent driving above a certain speed but probably now there would be no such thing available. 2. New drivers should not be allowed to drive six cylinder vehicles for at least 3 years. First DUI, yes confiscate the car. Next offence ....no discussion.....straight to the crusher! If and when people who are well aware of the fact that they may be drink driving at the weekend are watching TV ads they will think as at times we probably all have ....but its not going to happen to me, but maybe if they know they could lose their pride and joy to the crusher it might make them think again. Drastic action such as this but it has to be seen to be done just might help. Have to say I don't watch a lot of commercial TV but with the footy etc I have noticed that most of the car ads seemed to have become static rather than racing up a cliff top or screaming along the Great North Road. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marcia (5-6-07) Put more police out on the roads at ALL times not just Long Weekends and holidays! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dawn (11/9/06) We have stopped an awful lot of people from smoking with a barrage of advertising, good ways to help them stop and re-educating people. Why can't we do the same for the road toll?  The advertising there is, is minimal, we speed cars up instead of down and there are no attempts to teach people the appalling results of dangerous driving --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- George (25/1/06) I would think that drinkers would be made aware of the position of the booze buses outside of pubs. This would mean that they would not drive home in their own cars. Exactly what we want, don't we? Jackie has a good point and perhaps our police should take notice of her suggestion. The problem being that we don't have sufficient booze buses to place outside each of our pubs. But a rotation system could be applied. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dusty (15/12/05) Call me a cynic if you must, but there is no revenue in "preventing "people from driving their cars, but once they are on the road "yippee revenue!!" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jackie (14/12/05) Has posted the following questions, and we would be pleased to see your reactions or alternative ideas. Please assist us in finding a solution because the life we might save could be that of a close relative or friend. "Why don't 'booze-buses' operate outside pubs? Why do they wait for drinkers to get on the road?"  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please e-mail your input to:  webmaster@silverpeers.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Back to: HOME     Back to: Brainstorming