IT is reasonable to expect people to reflect in the face of tragedy. It is also reasonable to expect them to modify their driving when conditions worsen, such as they have over the past few days – to slow down in the wet.
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Incredibly, this doesn’t seem to have happened.
Despite the loss of Scott Morrison, a much-loved member of the community, in a horrendous collision on the weekend, the spate of accidents over the past 48 hours suggests people simply do not get the message that they need to slow down.
Even the statistics that identify Shoalhaven as a high-risk area for serious crashes – figures that have prompted police to crack down on reckless driving – don’t seem to get through to drivers who put themselves and others at risk by driving carelessly or aggressively.
Whether it’s tailgating, using phones while behind the wheel, speeding furiously through roundabouts, overtaking where vision is limited, or treating roads as if they are racetracks, poor driver behaviour is tearing families apart. There is just no excuse for it.
Blaming the roads, other drivers, being late, traffic … none of it washes.
If the roads are poor, slow down and drive to the conditions. If you’re late, you haven’t allowed enough time. If the traffic is heavy, there’s nothing you can do about it – taking a stupid risk won’t save you time. If another driver is going too slow, be patient – being angry behind the wheel won’t solve anything.
We need to change our driving culture if we are to stop the senseless loss of life on local roads. So we welcome the police crackdown on reckless driving. People who endanger others should be held to account. Speed limits should be observed. Proper distances should be maintained between vehicles. People should not drink and drive or be drug affected while in charge of a vehicle.
If one life can be saved through this crackdown, then it will be more than worthwhile.